So apparantly my DD has "dehydrated veins" because I BF

[Amila]

Let me preface this by saing the phlebotemists were really nice and not anti-breastfeeding at all.

I went to get DD, 4 months tested for lead, and they needed to do a heel stick. Well after two tries they determined they couldn't get enough blood and they were out of butterflies (?) to take blood via a venous stick so I would have to come back. I nursed DD through both pointless sticks : and they were fine with that.

When I was leaving the one woman asked me if I give her any water or juice. I said no, just BM. She then said that EBF babes tend to have dehydrated veins because they aren't as likely to start other liquids as soon as formula babes. WTH. So my BM isn't hydrating enough?? Maybe she's just so tiny that it is hard to get blood from her. They were nice, but it just irked me- another thing that could have made a nursing relationship go sour if she told that to a momma who was unsure or apprehensive about bfing.

[monocyte]

Ok, being a lab tech and having done my fair share of sticks at a Children's Hospital...they are making excuses for their lack of skill. Leads can be done with a fingerstick, and then if elevated, a vein is necessary.

Do ff mama's normally give a 4 month old juice?? Seems way early to me, no mater what your main source food is.

Go somewhere else...and, just wondering, why are you having a 4 month old tested for lead?

[2tadpoles]

My kids are older, but I can remember that when they were babies, it was "recommended" that juice be started at 4 mos. and solids at 6 mos.

[Amila]

She ate a paint chip and we are renovating our new old home- I wanted to get her tested asap. Normally we would have waited until 1 year.

[jeanine123]

How old is your house? If it's after the late '70's you may not have anything to worry about since lead paint was outlawed by then. Though based on the fact that you're in PA the house is probably older than that. And since breastmilk is about 80% water the phlebotomists are full of it. If you're in the mood you could write them a letter. Let me know if you need help finding some info.

[Amila]

It's from the 50's and has already tested positive for lead everywhere We are trying to see is we can get state funds to fix it.

[angington]

Sounds like my husband's grandma. She keeps asking my MIL since ds's birth why he doesn't get any water.

[PortraitPixie]

juice at 4 months?? That sounds awfully early...

[phoebemommy]

Both my mom (semi-crunchy, breastfed me) and my MIL (mainstream, formula fed dh) asked me if I was giving ds water. Both were surprised when I said, no, that's not recommended anymore. It must have been a big deal in the seventies.

Tangent: My mom gave me water and tons of apple juice from, like, birth, which might explain why I can suck down a gallon of it without blinking. I have no restraint with juice in general, actually. Oh, and my dad used to dip my pacifier in Jack Daniels to get me to go to sleep. : That's just my dad. I think it's funny, actually. But... I'm not a big drinker, and yet I love whiskey, and I associate Jack Daniels in particular with warm and fuzzy dad feelings. Good thing I don't have an addictive personality.

[Sharondio]

Yep, they were making excuses. If it happens again, just graciously ask if someone from the NICU is available instead.

[Mama Poot]

I've never even heard of 'dehydrated veins'. Sounds like a load of manure... I have "hard to find" veins and most of the time when I get blood drawn I wind up with a big freaking bruise because most of these assistants don't know how to draw blood from someone with small veins like mine. : I drink tons of water, yet my veins are still small. I think I'll add this to my list of outrageous false breastfeeding claims. Breastfeeding gives you dehydrated veins...

[TinkerBelle]

Originally Posted by Mama Poot

I've never even heard of 'dehydrated veins'. Sounds like a load of manure... I have "hard to find" veins and most of the time when I get blood drawn I wind up with a big freaking bruise because most of these assistants don't know how to draw blood from someone with small veins like mine. : I drink tons of water, yet my veins are still small. I think I'll add this to my list of outrageous false breastfeeding claims. Breastfeeding gives you dehydrated veins...

Former Phlebotomist here.: I would like to think I was fairly skilled. I had very few resticks and I worked on babies, and elderly people, along with those in-between.

A person who is ill is usually dehydrated and will be hell to get blood from sometimes, even with the most skilled lab tech/phlebotomist.

Also, even the most skilled Phleb/Lab Tech may have trouble with people with tiny veins, as you have described yours. It usually has very little to do with skill level. Think of it this way. You are sticking a hollow piece of metal into a vein that you cannot see, usually. Even people with "good" veins may see a bruise, due to the blood leaking out of the punctured vein. That is why I usually attempted sticks like that with a butterfly needle and syringe. It seemed to work much better and caused less trauma that a Vacutainer.

However, I have never, ever heard of breastfeeding causing dehydration. LOL!

[JessasMilkMama]

oh so a normal breastfed baby is the one who is not normal and is dehydrated, and one who is is fed artificial baby milk and juice is the norm?

[jrayn]

Just a FYI, heel and finger pricks aren't accurate for lead, it really should be done interveinously.

[JustJamie]

Originally Posted by Mama Poot

I've never even heard of 'dehydrated veins'. Sounds like a load of manure... I have "hard to find" veins and most of the time when I get blood drawn I wind up with a big freaking bruise because most of these assistants don't know how to draw blood from someone with small veins like mine. : I drink tons of water, yet my veins are still small. I think I'll add this to my list of outrageous false breastfeeding claims. Breastfeeding gives you dehydrated veins...

I have had dehydrated veins...when I was hospitalized for dehydration.

I should think if the OP's DD was dehydrated enough for that to be the cause of the difficulties checking lead levels, the OP would've noticed the physical symptoms...ie, no wet diapers, no saliva.