Just attended the LLL of Eastern PA Conference where Hypoglycemia was
discussed. The problem in the US is that hypoglycemia is not uniformly
defined by the medical community everyone has their own cutoff #. Also,
babies who MAY fall into a high risk category are all treated the same
whether that is necessary or not. Most hospital policies seem to involve
bottlefeeding formula and interfering with breastfeeding. Many babies are in
the NICU til they are defined as stabilized. There is not enough research yet
on the effect early and uninterupted breastfeeding on blood sugar levels.
On a personal note, my sister has been an insulin dependent diabetic for 28
years. She lives in Toronto and had her first baby in September by planned
C-Sect. It was too diffucult to BF on the table( a nurse helped her try) .She
BF in the recovery room and was NEVER separated from her baby.(she insisted
on this) All blood tests were done bedside and she BF every two hours or on
demand which ever came first! Baby Liam's count went as low as 36 at one test
but never lower. I think it is the lack of breastfeeding that get babies in
trouble. I am glad she was in Toronto and not the USA!
Robin B. Frees, BA, IBCLC