[ozmidwifery] blood gasses and other policies

[Barbara Glare & Chris Bright]

HI,   Interesting conversation about blood gasses. I frequently get reports from mothers and health professionals that they gave birth in a Baby friendly hospital, or a hospital with clear policies on breastfeeding, but that babies are given infant formula often without their parents consent, or not with their parents INFORMED consent.  This always intrigues me greatly.  There seem to be no repercussions for staff who go against breastfeeding policies.  Reasons I have heard for staff giving babies formula when I've asked midwives why they gave a baby formula include "the other midwife told me the baby was hungry", we didn't want to disturb the mother etc. Mothers tell me they were told that staff didn't want to wake/disturb the mother - they knew she was tired.  Told she had no milk.  Told the baby was hungry and needed something. And, my personal favourite, "it's OK, at this hospital we give babies the formula that is closest to human milk"  Rarely are they told WHY the midwife thinks these things. These are babies who are well, don't even start me on babies in the nursery where parent's rights seem to go right out the window. Some parents I have spoken to are very upset and angry.  I wonder why breastfeeding policy is in a *different* category in most hospitals?  Do others find this?   Barb