I am very sad indeed to read about the backwards steps breastfeeding seems
to be taking. Some thoughts:

1. Nicu staph sepsis: this is an opportunity to learn from and improve the
care breastfeeding families receive, and to minimize more cases of sepsis.
This is not a time to start banning breastfeeding. The mother could be the
source, the pump could be the source, the staff could be the source, the
nicu equipment could be the source. All of this, and possibly more, should
be investigated and measures taken to correct bacterial contamination.
Premie/sick babies are more vulnerable to infection, of course, so this is
certainly a serious situation.

2. Hypoglycemia: this hospital needs to look at its maternity/nsy practices
to see if they are contributing to the problem (25%!). Of concern would be
lack of continuous skin to skin for well babies (routine and frequent
mother/baby separation), delayed initiation of breastfeeding, lack of staff
knowledge and support for normal breastfeeding, too early bathing before
baby is thermo stable, and on and on. Of course, there is the WHO and ABM
materials and screening strips (chemstrips) are not accurate for carrying
out such an intervention but a blood draw is required to get an accurate
reading. Jack Newman has talked about bringing in some expressed colostrum
from the last couple weeks of pregnancy, to use (esp. by diabetic mothers)
in case of low glucose in baby. It might be in his book.

3. Co sleeping: I read something in a conference brochure by McKenna to the
effect that the main danger in cosleeping or bedsharing is w/ smokers.


Laurie Wheeler, IBCLC, MN, RN - sad and discouraged
New Orleans Louisiana, s.e. USA

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