In a message dated 1/17/1 1:52:35 AM, [log in to unmask] writes: << Or the alternative - they won't send home a baby that hasn't learned to nurse effectively yet. Perhaps a discussion with this neonatologist might help him to understand that the hospital's (i.e., *his*) responsibility is to ensure that all babies who are discharged from the unit are able to latch on & nurse appropriately. >> Others may have different experiences with this, but mine has been that mothers are told that their babies can go home sooner if they bottle-feed than if they continue trying to bf. The moms are under the impression that the babies will nurse when they get home. So, to get the babies home, they feed EBM, they go home with babies who may or may not ever really bf and they get counted statistically as discharged while bf. Sadly, it is an enlightened neonatologist who thinks it matters most that babies go home actually bf'ding. Personally, I would try to enlighten him. Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html