In a message dated 1/5/01 12:13:11 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> "  First feeding (breast/bottle)
> within one hour of birth and not to exceed every four hours thereafter."
> The staff has been interpreting this to mean that they need to either force
> breastfeeding or supplement the babies with formula if they don't meet
> these criteria. Most of them know the full-term babies are best when left
> to their own schedules but they don't want to go against hospital orders.
>
Mary,
What about "breastfeed ad lib" and then get more specific in the policy.
Avoid using every 2-3 hrs---try using 8-12 times in 24 hrs. & infants may
cluster-feed.  Our guidelines say only 6-8 feedings in the 1st 24 hrs. and
8-12 times/24 hrs after that. It might also say that breastfed babies should
NOT be given pacifiers or supplemental feedings unless medically indicated
and only with parental informed consent.

Laura Hart
Winter Park, FL

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html