Jay, Just a late note - just read yours on meningitis. One of the babies born at our hospital, discharged, I saw him a few days later due to nipple clamping, we worked on this for two visits, mom finally had to use nipple shield to prevent bleeding. Throughout she kept strictly bf - no formula, bottles, etc. One day she called to say he was acting "funny", was not nursing well. I offered a quick visit but she didn't come in - then the next day I got a call - baby was being hospitalized. Viral meningitis was the diagnosis. He goes home today, still fully bf, still clamping. We spoke of having only pleasant experiences done to his body for the next two days - massage, mom-baby baths, etc (he had every part of his anatomy poked, prodded and punctured, of course.) She'll be in to see me next Friday, I hope to have some way to help her! We'd love to say fully bf babies don't get sick - but they do. Thank goodness he was able to keep bf . He had lost almost a pound from the time mom called me and he was hospitalized, but he quickly regained it and is doing OK , both weight and illness-wise. She's a champ to be willing to continue bf despite being chomped on! We'll work on that next. Jeanette Panchula, BA-SW, LLLL, IBCLC, RN Puerto Rico - another Hurricane???!!! [log in to unmask]