Amen to those who say we need to be careful about "either - or" .

Yes, for full-term healthy babies the breast is best.

But many of us working with babies who have been bottle fed in NICU find that a
great many of them breastfeed very well.  The big problem with them is that the
parents are so used to counting ounces (both of milk going in and the baby's
weight which of course was the deciding factor of when discharge occurred).  I
may be tempted to get into the scale-renting business if I get any more of those
"how do I know the baby is taking in enough?"  from those discharged from NICU.

In other words - as with nipple shields, suck checks, etc.  There's a lot more
to learn out there than there are hard and fast rules to follow!

As one of the '85 IBCLC's, I know how much I value your input and your different
experiences and viewpoints  - Thank You for Being There Lactnetters!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, LLLL, RN, IBCLC
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