There is no reason, from the information you present, that this baby should
not breastfeed. Should HCP's make sure the baby is receiving adequate
nutrition? Yes. Does this preclude breastfeeding?  No.  I would advise the
mother to ask for the specific reason that this baby is not allowed to
breastfeed.  Armed with that information you will be able to sort out if
there is anything valid in their prohibition.
You state the baby feeds by bottle. If so there should be no reason that he
be "not allowed" to feed at breast.  If the baby is not able to receive his
total feeding breastfeeding, he can receive the remainder by some other
method.  Fortunately, this does not sound familiar in the setting I work in,
but I fear it is all too common a scenario.  I can't even think of studies
you would cite to prove that it is ok for a full term baby to bf. This falls
in the category of ridiculous. Ask for their studies proving it is not ok for
this baby to bf. If they are worried about wt. gain, they need to  make sure
he gets enough to eat. It does not mean he can't bf.

Kathy Boggs, RN, IBCLC

Is there *any* reason for a full term baby in the NICU
to not be allowed to breastfeed at all?
Here's the story:
Mom is pumping and baby is getting only EBM by bottle.
The HCPs do not know what is wrong with the baby (very
low platelet count/anemia at birth, improved and now
stable at 2 weeks old.) Baby on IV (npo) for first 3
days, because they didn't know what was wrong (and
still don't). Drs concerned that baby wasn't gaining
well, so restricted baby to feed only every 3 hours
(!!). They will not allow mom to BF. Mom doesn't want
to rock the boat as she just wants the baby home ASAP
so she can start breastfeeding.
BW: 7 lb 1 oz
W at 10 days: 6 lb 11 oz
current (2 wks): 6 lb 13 oz (so 4 oz short of birth
weight)

The LC won't "go to bat" (mom's words) for her right
to BF in NICU.
Does this sound familiar?
I have only had email and phone contact with the mom.
If there is anyone in the Jacksonville FL area who
would be willing to help this mom, let me know!
Any studies this mom could show the NICU staff? (her
ped talks BF support but won't rock the boat in the
NICU)
Since I do not work in a hospital, I don't know--is
this typical?  (I sure hope not!)
What would work for her as far as dialoging with the
NICU folks?

Thanks,
Virginia Bobro

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