Hello Lactnetters! I am a RNC in a Level 3 NICU. I have been lurking on here for about 5 months and I have learned so much from all of the experts. I am also the chairperson for the NICU Breastfeeding Support and Education Committee. This committee has worked very hard over the last 5 years to educate our staff and improve the breastfeeding support and success of our NICU Mothers. One of largest obstacles has proven to be one of our Neonatologists and the Medical Director of our NICU. I have been so angry for the last two days over an incident that occurred in our unit I decided to post the experience and would like to hear any recommendations from the experts. The incident occurred during the morning rounds with the Neo. (Neonatologist) and 5 Pediatric Residents (unfortunately their first experience in the NICU). The Neo. started discussing Breast milk, breast feeding , etc., and told the Residents to order cultures on the breast milk of any baby receiving it. I asked his rationale for this decision and he started lecturing about the "compromised immune system of the preterm infant....possibility of contamination of ebm, and possible Beta Strep in the ebm". I then explained about the great immune properties provided by ebm and the Neo. said..."the immune properties of ebm are not dependable.....maybe not enough...and baby may become sick from the ebm". He continued to loudly rant and rave about all the possible harm the ebm could cause the preterm infant. I continued to explain about immune properties...better digested...etc. He preceded to lecture to Residents about the "lactation lunatics" ....including me, and how crazy our ideas were. The conversation preceded down hill rapidly.....He asked if I believed in supplementation of full term infants until Mother's milk "came in"... I replied that Mother's have milk from the beginning....The Neo. said "oh yes....colostrum...God's way of correcting his mistake of not giving Mom's milk to start with". The Neo explained to the Residents that the "lactation lunatics" would prefer the baby to starve and become dehydrated before supplementing. He then asked why I was against supplementation....I talked about Baby's initial fluid needs could be met by the colostrum etc, and mentioned "nipple confusion". The Nipple confusion put him over the edge....ranted and raved that there was no such thing .....this was a term the lactation lunatics had devised to frighten Mother's out of offering bottles. I soon realized I was fighting a loosing battle...He told the Residents how often He had to "rip these breastfed infants from the jaws of death because they were not being supplemented", I told him I would bring Research Articles to support my feelings and he said he had seen the Research and it was "faulty". He ended this scenario saying how much he supported breastfeeding and it was best for the baby in "controlled situations". I feel so discouarage and at a loss to know how to undo the damage he has done. Nursing staff and Ped. Residents all witnessed this scene and I am sure many will buy into his way of thinking. If anyone has any advice short of hiring a hit man...please let me know. TIA! Debby Menders RNC NICU Women and Children's Hospital Charleston, WV Email: [log in to unmask]