Another factor to include here:  Skin-to-skin care has been shown to shorten 
length of stay in premies by up to 5 days.  (Sorry my references (?Kirsten) 
are still packed away in a box yet to be unpacked.)

The unit where I work has multiple frustrations, but one thing I am happy 
about is that I have been able to facilitate, with the support of the 
paediatricians, exclusive breastfeeding by discharge for our premies - NO 
bottles.  Most mothers stay most of the day with their babies and they also 
stay over on the last night.  When mom is not there, babies are fed EBM via 
naso gastric tube or cup.

I also see mothers discharged from other hospitals where the policy is to 
get babies home as quickly as possible and this mostly involves 
bottlefeeding with formula.  Once home, these mothers really struggle.  Even 
if they have an adequate milk supply - finding the confidence to let go of 
the formula in the bottle is very difficult.

Jean Ridler  RN  RM  IBCLC
South Africa   [log in to unmask] 

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