We started our week with 2 big debates last week and I would really appreciate any citations to support or refute our positions.  

Hepatitis C-Since late last year we have been letting moms know that Hepatitis C was not in the "Absolutely must not BF category".  There were 2 articles listed in BF Abstracts and information from conferences which we thought supported at least risk vs benefit decision for each mom.  Apparently this is in conflict with our hospital's Infectious Disease MD who is not a bit happy with us.  

Low fe ABM- Our department has been recommending that for primarily breastfed babies who need occasional brief supplimentation there is a preference for using the Low iron preparations of ABM.  Our  support for this is the lactoferin in human milk is (potentially)less well absorbed in the presence of high iron suppliments.   We have gone out of our way to discuss this with parents and make clear that if they switch to formula feeding the the baby would definitely require iron fortified ABM.  On this we got in trouble with a local Peds.  

I am trying to find good news in this.  One is that we are willing to be "out there" with current research and give our clients as much information as we can on rationalle.  It was never our intention to disagree with the Physicians either.  It doesn't do our department or our  clients any good to get conflicting info.
Thanks for any insights.  tracy

tracy throckmorton rn ibclc
portland oregon
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