Nikki Lee Health

Two groups in our medical system have the most power:: doctors and insurance companies. What doctors say to families can break (or make)  the breastfeeding relationship.

Here’s 7 examples of medical advice  breaking breastfeeding:

1. Pediatrician kept baby kept in the hospital for a bilirubin level of 11 on Day 3, because of “breastfeeding insufficiency.”
2.  During the first 6 weeks, baby was gaining 1 pound/week. She was happy and responsive and being treated for rising bilirubin level. The doctor told the mother that  the rising bilirubin level could mean that baby had liver disease or a virus that could lead “blindness or deafness or learning disability” Baby was always fine. Mother was frightened into weaning. . .as the doctor knew nothing about late-onset jaundice.
3. Pediatrician told the mother to stop breastfeeding because her son hadn’t peed within 2 hours of a circumcision.
4. Pediatrician told the the mother that she “can’t breastfeed”, as the baby’s bilirubin wasn’t low enough.” (Baby was 4 days old; bilirubin levels within normal limits.)
5. Pediatrician told the mother that her milk must not be good if the baby wanted to feed more than every 2 hours; baby was gaining 11 ounces a week.
6. Baby was admitted to the hospital for the flu; the mother was told that her milk had made the baby sick AND that her milk would increase the baby’s mucous level.
7. Mother with gestational diabetes had her term baby admitted to the NICU with low blood sugar. The baby was fed every 3-4 hours in the NICU. When the baby breastfed on baby-led, responsive schedule, the blood sugar was perfect. The mother was told that “breastfeeding every 2 hours would be too difficult to sustain.”

Poor medical advice is all too common, and has a powerful impact.

Here’s what doctors have said to support breastfeeding:

1. “Your milk is very strong and good for your baby.”

2. “Your baby is gaining weight. Good job, mama!”

3. “Have you seen the lactation counselor (or consultant) in my office?”

Be the one who knows what accurate advice and encouragement to give to your breastfeeding patients. When you sign-up for the Breastfeeding Foundations for Your Community course, you will learn evidence-based and easy strategies to deal with common situations.