Been helping a mother in Colorado whose baby was placed in foster care for failure to thrive. The baby was not gaining sufficiently after starting solids early, which apparently resulted in the baby not nursing enough. Other factors led doctor to believe that baby was failing to thrive. No breastfeeding assessment was done by anyone. Doctor had seen failure to thrive TV shows last year. Ordered mother to wean immediately and give formula. Baby rejected formula. After a day or two, situation dire. Doctor sent mother to hospital. They relied on doctor's evaluation. Fed baby formula, and sent mother home with instructions to supplement with 12 oz. formula per day, and continue breastfeeding. Again, no brf. assessment, no instruction in ways to solve problem. When doctor found out mother was insisting on supplementing with a cup rather than a bottle, reported mother to SSA.(Social Service Agency) Mother did not understand why SSA was contacting her, and tried to reject services they were offering. This was enough for them to decide to get an Order allowing them to take the baby into foster care. Disaster as mother attempted to flee with baby, and spent 17 days in jail. Finally got baby back, weaned. SSA brought proceedings against mother - charging her with neglect. Jury trial was set for end of last week. Dr. Niefort became involved. She spent numerous hours on the phone with the mother, more time reviewing the medical records, travelled a long distance, and testified last week in the mother's jury trial - at no charge. She did an incredible job helping this mother - who was found NOT GUILTY of all charges. I am very grateful that she took the time and energy to make such a difference in one of these most difficult cases! LLL of Colorado, and most especially the APL and AAPL of Colorado, also provided invaluable assistance in this case. The AAPL also testified, explaining how low weight gain would be handled in a 6 mo. old baby. I wish I could have seen this trial! Both Dr. Niefort and the AAPL have done something SO WONDERFUL. They educated a community, a Judge, a jury, prosecutor's office, social service agency, local doctors, court personnel and even the press (present in the courtroom) on how to treat failure to thrive, how to diagnosis it properly, why breastfeeding is important, why many doctors do not have accurate breastfeeding information, about the use of cup in feeding premies, and numerous other issues that were raised. Hopefully this will do a little to undo some of the negative effects of the bad publicity surrounding failure to thrive. By the way, this makes two cases I know of where a baby was placed in foster care for failure to thrive, as a result of this bad publicity. This case has helped me to see how important it is that we work together - for our common goal! _______________________________________________________________ Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. Baldwin & Friedman, P.A. 2020 N.E. 163rd St. # 300 N. Miami Beach, Fla. 33162-4970 Phone: 305-944-9100 Fax: 305-949-9029 [log in to unmask] http://www.parentsplace.com/shopping/esq/index.html Breastfeeding and the Law: http://www.prairienet.org/llli/LawMain.html _______________________________________________________________