All these suggested norms for output make me uneasy. While I love having some guidelines, placing them in hospital protocols is, IMHO inviting interventions that will torpedo breastfeeding (unless it is a particularly enlightened hospital with an LC or similar HCP). If they have to exist, can the protocol also state that if these outputs aren't happening, the next step is LC assessment? I doubt that most hospitals are that far along. Having said all of that, it seems reasonable for US--breastfeeding helpers--to be aware of what should be and therefore developing said protocols for OUR use is great. One of the reasons I don't like it is all the babies I've worked with--home & hospital births--who don't fit our lovely picture of being snuggled in bed with Mom. Oh, he's there all right, but he's also taking a very long nap. Or, yes, he's next to mom with free access to breast, but there are many (even unmedicated) babies who don't latch on as quickly as we like. When I first began working as a hosptial-based LC, I would panic over these babies, as I was so used to seeing "older" (i.e. +3 days) babies. I learned over time not to worry on the first day--and sometimes maybe even the second--all else being equal. I've learned to respect the uniqueness of each babe. My point is that these babies, who haven't read the books, may in fact, be just fine but will not look good on these protocols. It makes me ill to think that just cuz they are slow they will be "treated" to a bottle of the Other Stuff by some by-the-book person who is clueless about breastfeeding. Just my .02 Nancy