The pressure on moms by hospital policies and routines are everywhere  from 
the moment she comes to the hospital. Many things are presented  as an order 
not a choice even the   "small" things are presented that  way. So, of course, 
if she doesn't have a say in something that is "small" why  would she have a 
say in something big or even feel empowered to go against  what they say. 
 
To illustrate this  I will share a recent encounter with a mom. I  was there 
to give info on jaundice (after 49 hrs and bili 17). They kept telling  her to 
give aim (baby was also doing lights). She said she had to give  the aim when 
they come back. (Floor nurse even came in and asked why she  hadn't gave it 
yet.) She had said she didn't want the baby bathed but they said  it was 
required. So mom really felt like since she had no say in the bath why  would she be 
able to do something different when her baby is sick. I left pages  copied 
from the Breastfeeding Answer Book and AAP statement too. In the end mom  gave 
the aim. 
 
Kim Ann Lorber
[log in to unmask]
Mama to 4  breastfed  boys~~
Psalms 22:9 Yet you brought me out of the womb,  you made me trust in you 
even at my mother's breast. 
 
 
In a message dated 2/14/2005 8:50:46 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

Many  mothers of premies tell me that if they HAVE TO comply 
> with the doc's  wishes to give their babies AIM and/or not 
> allow them to go to breast  before learning how to bottlefeed. 
> They are under the impression that  they have no say in the 
> matter at all. I would love to be able to  quote a law that 
> gives them this right. Would you please share your  references with us?
> 

In the US a child may not be given medical  treatment without the consent of
the parent (excluding immediate life  saving procedures).  This is why, for
example, if a family chooses to  not allow treatment for a child's cancer on
religious grounds the hospital  must go to court to get permission to usurp
parental authority.  The  same ought to hold true for medical treatment
(giving of ABM, bottles) of a  newborn.  I believe that if treatment was
given without consent that  it would be legally classified as assault.





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