Breastfeeding

[babyrex33]

Ok guys....I know that in this day and age this will be difficult to believe, but we still have physician orders that state a newborn should be NPO for 6 hours prior to breast feeding or nipple feedings!!! I need some type of "official" documentation to present to these docs to show that this is not the current trend.

Also, I know I read somewhere about giving newborns D10 or D5. The research showed that newborns are so prone to hypervolemia that is was no longer recommended that they recieve any time of water feedings and any type of supplementation should be with formula. Anyone else remember reading this or hearing about this? What are you hospital's policies?

Thanks again for the help.

babyrex33

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Not allowed to feed your newborn for 6 hrs? what about all the research done about breastfeeding or attempting to immediatly after birth to facilitate increased bonding?

Was this how it was done years ago? Not a OB nurse, but breast feed both of my kids as soon as it seemed right. (too much going on for the immediatly after birth thing) Maybe it was a few hrs.

What is the reasoning for NPO..is this for well or sick babies?

[gypsyatheart]

What??!!?? is right!

That can't be right... I have never heard of such a thing. Does the term hypoglycemia mean anything....?

We encourage moms to bf w/in the 1st hr after birth and if they are bottle feeding they are fed w/in the first hr or two after birth.

In fact, if our nb's go for 5hrs w/out a feed (d/t sleepiness, poor nippling, etc), we initiate the blood sugar protocol, and start doing chemstrips. Then, we supplement or PC if needed....

I would get w/a neonatologist or Pediatrician and jump into the 21st century! LOL

[unknown99, BSN, RN]

:eek:

:eek:

[Supersleuth]

I can't believe that this is still the way your docs practice!! Are they really Board certified in Pediatrics?? Do they even do their CME's??? How old are these Pedis?

Infants who are deprived feedings get cold, hypoglycemic and then require more interventions. Not to mention the insulin rush babys get when given D5---then they plumit their sugars. They need FAT--hello!! If I were a mother there I would FREAK!! Who's baby is it--the pediatrician's or the MOTHER'S??

Sorry, this is sounding like a vent now but it burns me when docs do not read current literature and update their practice guidelines based on current theories/studies. I have worked at a teaching facility for many years (several of them) and have never heard of such rudimentary practice.

Erin

[mitchsmom]

Refer to the American Academy of Pediatrics' Policy Statement PEDIATRICS Vol. 100 No. 6 December 1997, pp. 1035-1039

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS:

Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk

"Breastfeeding should begin as soon as possible after birth, usually within the first hour'

AAP Policy

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3b100/6/1035

It also says "No supplements (water, glucose water, formula, and so forth) should be given to breastfeeding newborns unless a medical indication exists."

The ACOG Policy is probably similar. This link includes a list of professional organization's policy statements:

http://www.bflrc.com/links/papers.htm

Doesn't get any more basic than that!! That doc must be hugely out of touch... wouldn't even want to know other things he does!!! Best wishes... please come back and tell us that he's seen the light.

PS- You can probably find more to back this up here:

http://www.geocities.com/breastfeedinglinks

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

How many of your kids end up in the unit with hypoglycemia? :chuckle

[SmilingBluEyes]

NO well babies are EVER NPO ----from birth (before the bath) I have them at the breast. The first hour is critical!!!!! This policy sounds dangerous to me.

[MishlB]

:eek: Feed the kid!!!!!! I agree that the first hour to breast is best, if possible. We always feed within an hour or two...