In my 18yrs of experience with hospital nursing, too often for what ever
reason, babies are given bottles, perhaps just to help the baby get
dismissed, from NICU.   When the baby has been in the unit so long that mom
has returned to work, and cannot be there for every feeding, yet the baby is
expected to demonstrate feeding ability, thermoregulation and weight gain in
order to go home, mom is not very reluctant to give in to some of the nurses
who put it to the mom's as 'the way to get him/her home faster' and
bottlefeeding.  Then we put the baby to breast and the baby is wide mouthed
trying to find the breast.  I explain to the mom, that we women are not
built like bottles and don't have hard nipples for the baby to latch onto.
I tell them they must roll the nipple so it will stand out erect, so the
baby can feel it in their mouth and have stimulation TO suck.  This usually
seems to work, as long as the baby is patient enough to wait for letdown to
happen, after the baby gets spoiled by the instant gratification of the
bottle.  Sad scenario, but true.
Karen Leak BSN RN

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