In a message dated 1/4/2004 2:26:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
When I first started here, one of the peds asked me whether FF would =
cause "nipple confusion" , and I had to say I did not know.  I did a =
literature search, and came up with nothing.  does anyone on the list =
know of any research on FF?  I did have one case of a baby who refused =
the breast after sucking on the pediatrician's finger during bedside =
teaching for about 15 minutes (not feeding, just pacifying): we got her =
back to breast with a nipple shield.  Any other case reports of breast =
refusal after FF?
Martha, as I did some research on nipple shields, there has been work on
nipple confusion.  I believe Ruth Lawrence has some material related to this.
Also Paula Meier and Barbara Wilson Clay may have some work on nipple confusion.
What I recall on my readings was that any alternative feeding method could
lead to an addiction and therefore some "nipple confusion."  If the alternative
feeding method is very short term, say only a couple of feedings, then there
may be no confusion for the baby.  We just don't know which baby that is given
an alternative feeding method prior to introduction to mother's breast will
find this confusing.  Ruth Lawrence's work refers to "imprinting" and whether
another object other than the mother's breast first placed in a baby's mouth
will leave that imprint in their brain for what they then look to obtain
nutrition or comfort.
Alternative feeding methods have their place but we must be aware that we may
need to retrain a baby back to the breast after dealing with a problem.
Ann Perry RN, IBCLC
Boston, MA

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