>
>The terrible story of a few days ago represents the bad medicine and not the
>results of early discharge.  Virtually every single baby will benefit from
>leaving the hospital as soon as possible with good follow up by a lactation
>consultant and caring physician.


True, Jay.

We have bf stats here that show the *longer* a baby is in hospital
the *less* likely they are to be bf on discharge.

I know, I know....this also reflects the fact that longer-stay babies
may also be the ones with problems that impact on feeding. They may
also be from social groups that only bf a short time, if at all.

But it's not just that.

Good, bf-supportive follow-up on discharge is vital, of course, and
the mother needs support at home, too.

When all that's in place, *healthy* mothers and babies gain nothing
by being in hospital a moment longer than necessary : )

[I could add that this group are better off not setting foot in
hospital in the first place, too ; ) ]

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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