I would not say routine, as it requires a physician's order, nor very common.
 However, it is occasionally a good thing, if it is needed.  I worked with a
baby within the last few days that had not latched at all, not sucking on
anything, for 36 hours.  Baby repeatedly regurgitated and swallowed, but
nothing could be suctioned from the mouth.  A miraculous turnaround happened
post lavage, and removal of copious mucus.  Baby nursed like a champ for the
next 16 hours and went home without ever having the less than desirable white
liquid.  Sometimes intervention can be helpful.  I know this mother could
have pumped and fed with bottles, and eventually transitioned back to the
breast.  This minor treatment was much less tramatic.  My two cents,
Lu
RNC,IBCLC
Texas
> >  At our local hospital it is still the protocol to do gastric
> >lavage on a newborn baby that is nauseous and spitting up.  Is this still
> > an universal trend?
>

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