Regarding the mother of the preterm baby who was unable to obtain medications
to increase her milk supply---I have had numerous preterm mothers report very
good success by using acupuncture to increase their milk supply. I have seen
in acupuncture books at least two sets of instructions for needle placement.

Also, please ask the physicians who would not prescribe the medication for
their data that shows formula is just as good. Pediatrics has had a couple of
recent articles showing quite clearly that breast milk was much better than
formula for preterm infants. You may want to show these to the mother also.
The mother has the right to information that may be of help to her in her
situation. Withholding patient information is an act of omission and could
jeopardize a nurse's license. You may wish to check the Patient's Bill of
Rights that should be posted in view of all patients as well as with the
hospital's attorney about systematically being unable to inform a patient of
all her options. It sounds like it is time to make waves.

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, Massachusetts