Sorry about the two subject post, but the union of the two is lack of physician
knowledge.  We are now getting some docs who have learned _something_ about
breastfeeding, but haven't read "the fine print".

- One doc told a mom since she was breastfeeding her baby, it was "normal" for
her to be jaundiced at 3 months.  When she stopped by to see me about a pump, I
suggested she see her MD again - or try someone else.  Well, baby has biliary
hypoplasia.

- Another doc told a mom "breastfed babies don't have lots of stools" -  by
telephone at 20 days. (No stool in 7 days).  Well, baby came in for lactation
checkup when I suggested (by telephone) a feeding evaluation.  He is still not
back to birthweight at 25 days.

Yes, breastfed babies stay yellow for longer - Or is it that bottle fed babies
lose the normal jaundice faster? - but jaundice at 3 months should be checked!

Yes, some breastfed babies have no stools for a very long time and are OK - my
kids were all "suntan" for over 6 weeks - luckily I had Oriental pediatricians
who were used to babies who stayed jaundice for longer than the usual Caucasian
babies.

A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

Jeanette Panchula,  BA-SW,(LLLL - but am not speaking as an LLLL or for LLLI),
RN, IBCLC
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Puerto Rico