Inconsistent Newborn Blood Sugar Testing Procedures – Any Parents with Similar Experiences?

First-time parents here, needing to discuss a confusing issue we’ve encountered during our hospital stay. We’d love to hear if others have faced inconsistencies in newborn blood glucose testing protocols.

Our baby was flagged for 24-hour blood sugar monitoring (before each breastfeeding session) after one reading fell below 2.6 mmol/L (the hospital’s threshold). The problem? Wildly different techniques among midwives during heel prick tests:

 Inconsistent Blood Sampling:

• Some midwives test the first drop of blood;
• Others insist on using the second or third drop;
• Last night, one midwife wiped away the first FIVE drops and used the sixth (a surprisingly large amount for a tiny newborn). When asked, she claimed this was “standard procedure.”

Our Concerns:

• We’ve checked websites and the hospital’s own materials – none mention discarding multiple drops;
• Could this inconsistency affect accuracy? (e.g., first drop vs. later drops for true glucose levels?)
• Is wiping multiple drops unnecessarily traumatic, especially for small/preterm babies?

so:

• Are there healthcare-professional parents who know the any resoures for protocol for newborn heel prick tests?
• Do other hospitals require discarding specific numbers of blood drops?

⚠️ Note: We deeply appreciate the midwives’ hard work and don’t doubt their intentions. But as parents, we need clarity.

Grateful for any insights or shared experiences!