See JHL 2000;16(1):47-51.  Alexandria, Virginia attorney Priscilla Bornmann
and British solicitor Graham Ross co-authored this article in regard
to "two cases in which parents sought legal advice in relation to
supplemental feedings and artificial nipples.  The authors recommend that
parents send a letter of direction to their health care providers prior to
their infant's delivery, and a sample is provided.  In many jurisdictions,
if the parents' directions are not followed, the provider may be liable
under the theory known as civil battery."  Bornmann and Ross discuss their
respective cases.  Note that in the American case, breastfeeding was never
successfully initiated in spite of the expressed wishes of the mother,
although at least six formula feedings were remarked to have been given by
various staff members.  According to Ms. Bornmann, "by the time the couple
first meet with their lawyer, their 18-month-old daughter had developed
serious allergies, including a milk allergy, and had been hospitalized for
repeated respiratory infections."

Debra Swank, RN BSN IBCLC RLC
Winchester, Virginia USA

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