Hi All,
I'm hoping that someone will respond to this post, I haven't had much luck
with responses lately!
Has anyone read the study in Pediatrics, Sept 01 by Dr. Lucas etal regarding
the significant growth differences attributed to former premies fed "preterm"
formula vs. standard ABM or breastfed? I can only get my hands on the
abstract (in the immediate sense) and would like to know, among other things,
how the study defined "premies" and "breastfed".
I had a rather unpleasant conversation with a neonatologist of an area level
2 nsy who became very indignant about my question of her recommendation to
all of "her low birth wt. discharges" ie. under five pounds and irrespective
of their degree of prematurity, to
"only breast feed once or twice per day until term". She doesn't want them
breastfed any more frequently because not only is it "more work"  but "this
study shows that they won't grow properly". I managed to say one thing during
her 10 min spiel, during which I tried to suggest that some babies may
actually feed better at the breast vs. bottling pumped breast milk and thus
might take more with each feed, adjusting for the cal difference.
She was skeptical at best.
I would like to rebut with appropriate documentatation.
Frankly, I was surprised that she is the one giving the feeding dictums to
the degree of exact numbr of times to breastfd!? IME, having worked in NICUs
(a little while back now :) ), the NURSE was more likely to be the one giving
this type of D/C advice, hopefully adjusted to the baby's capability. Has
this changed or is this becoming more of the standard advice now with the
greater use of these preterm discharge formulas?
Lynn Shea Rn,Bsn,Ibclc
Franklin,Massachusetts

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