Hi All--
I am working on a committee that is writing breastfeeding policies, based on
the 10 Steps, for our health region. We want to include guidelines on
supplementation. In our draft, we are recommending the use of feeding cups
as a first step when small amounts of supplementation are needed. Since our
last meeting I obtained an article about Baby Friendly where cup feeding is
the recommended method (along with hand expression rather than reliance on
pumps) so I'll be sharing that with the committee.

We may have a hard sell job on using cups, however, as many of the nurses in
one of our hospitals use syringes (not periodontal syringes, just the
regular ones) when they feel a baby needs some supplementing. I introduced
this method many years ago (before cup feeding became common) to get them to
quit using the bottle. Unfortunately, it has stuck around, despite the fact
that I've been recommending, and using cups or finger feeding with a
p-syringe, for years. (I don't work in the hospital, so don't have ready
access to home-made lactation devices when I come in to see mums, so have
stuck with the p-syringe--I don't have to bother the nurses for tubing,
etc.)

I told the committee I'd post something on Lactnet to get some feedback.
What I'd like to know is whether any of you work in or are familiar with
institutions that use syringes rather than cups to supplement. I think what
I REALLY want is to be able to go back to the committee and say that this is
an extremely uncommon practice and that most places use the cup because of
the following reasons (help me out with some reasons, please).  I'll be
inservicing on the new policies eventually and would like some good
arguments.

Our next meeting is on Monday, so any input would be appreciated. Thanks in
advance.

Leslie Ayre-Jaschke, BEd, IBCLC
Peace River, Alberta, Canada