The AAP Policy Statement---- Hospital Stay for Healthy Term Newborns (Feb. 2010) states as one of the minimum requirements for discharge; the infant has completed at least 2 successful consecutive feedings, with assessment to verify that the infant is able to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing while feeding.

I am being told that this means if a baby does not latch, then the mother will have to pump and bottle feed.   Alternative feeding methods such as spoon, cup or finger feeding are not acceptable.  The baby needs to be breastfeeding as mom intended.  If that is not accomplished before discharge then that is too bad!  Pump and bottle feed.  IBCLC support will continue after discharge but they will be bottle feeding as per our physicians until the baby comes around.

Was this the intention of the AAP?  I don’t interpret the statement that way.  Do Baby Friendly Hospitals send problem babies home bottle feeding?

Respectfully submitted,
Linda Bubeck IBCLC, RLC
In the Carolinas

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