Winnie,

I am not a nurse and therefore have no experience doing blood sugar checks
so please forgive the questions if they seem obvious to you.

I have been told the Accuchecks type blood sugar tests are not very reliable
and have encouraged parents to ask for a lab check because of the inaccuracy
that I was told exists.  Is this brand more accurate than other non-lab
tests?

I also have never heard to warm the heel before drawing the blood for a
higher reading.  I frequently do prenatal breastfeeding classes though and
warn mom's about the local affinity for treating for low blood sugar.  Is
the rise in blood sugar with warmth seen reliably enough to encourage the
parents to insist on warming before blood is drawn?  Would it make the same
difference with a lab check?

I have had moms report asymptomatic babies being given formula for blood
sugars of 50 and 60 "just in case it falls further."

Thanks,

Linda Pohl, (non-RN) IBCLC
Phoenix & Mesa, AZ

> When a nurse is getting panicked that baby hasn't
> eaten, I encourage them to to an Accu-Check (non-lab blood sugar)
> being sure to warm the heel first (I've seen that make as much as a
> 10 point difference).  The purpose isn't that I think baby has a
> blood sugar problem (unless I see other symptoms), but that in the
> vast majority of cases, the number is just fine and the nurse will
> relaz and give baby more time.

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