I'm sure that others will respond to this post but i'd like to put my .02
worth in.  One of the most important reasons to wake a sleeping baby to feed
is to keep its blood sugar levels constant.  Most nursing students learn
early on how important that is.  In addition, does the person who asked that
question really understand the concept of:  how small infant stomach really
is, how important it is to pass meconium (before conjugated and unconjugated
bilirubin begin to be circulated through the blood stream and kernicticus
begins), not to mention how frequent stimulation of the breast helps
lactogenisis, etc...  Sounds like the need for good breastfeeding education
for nursing students should be one of ILCA's foremost issues.  As someone who
has been through two years of nursing school, I am full aware of the poor
information given in textbooks and clinical rotation.  In fact, my nutrition
professor, who has a MPH, asked me to teach the breastfeeding/breast milk
chapter (and write a quiz) for our class since she was familiar with my work
and reputation through her contacts at our county health department.
I urge the person who asked this question to read Ruth Lawrence, Auerbach and
Riordan and other professionally oriented textbooks re: lactation rather than
the books they quoted in their post.  I wish them luck in their endeavors and
hope they do not end up working on the Maternity floor.
Mary Kay Smith
Romeoville, IL