We do not have (or need)a specific policy for breastfeeding mothers who
are admitted to the hospital.  We do have a policy that any mother of an
infant can have her baby in the room, as long as there is an additional
person to care for the infant.  Unless there is a specific medical
contraindication, a mother will breastfeed if that is her choice.
Maternal hospitalization is not a contraindication to breastfeeding.  I
would imagine that your ICO would be confident with CDC and AAP list of
contraindications, and I would refer him to those references.  You may
want to ask him to share any evidence HE may have that would support
this policy, I don't know of any.  Also, another effective strategy is
to determine the community standard...find out what other hospitals in
your area are doing and report to ICO.  Lastly, you may want to have
your legal department take a look at this policy.  A mother has a right
to breastfeed.  I don't think the hospital/caregivers have a right to
forbid her to do so unless in doing so, the baby would be in imminent
danger.  Good Luck.  

>>>Does anyone hospital based have a policy for breastfeeding mothers
that are admitted to the hospital? Our infection control officer has a
policy that states, "Women admitted to (this hosptial) who are
breastfeeding mothers will not be permitted to breastfeed their baby
during hospitalization. Breasts can be pumped and the milk discarded."
Short of HIV +, Hepatitis +, or mothers receiving certain medications, I
can't agree with this policy. The last revision was as recent Nov 2009.
Help!!<<<<

Mary Foley RN BSN, IBCLC
Melrose, MA

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