>The issue isn't whether we can agree on a "label" to describe baby who is
>not feeding at breast.  Your "nipple confusion" is my "flow preference" is
>her "oroboobular disproportion."


I think it does matter.

The idea of nipple confusion - meaning that babies who get bottles 
then become unable to suck from the breast so babies who need 
supplementing away from the breast must never have a bottle - leads 
to a whole load of other means of getting milk in, like cups, spoons, 
finger feeding, syringe feeding.

Now, any or all of these may be appropriate tools at times but (as 
far as I can see) none has any  evidence-based claims to be routinely 
*more* appropriate than a bottle. I have seen babies come to prefer 
all of these alternatives to the breast, when breastfeeding has not 
been 'worked on' alongside the using the alternatives.

The belief that bottles for supplements = confusion, and cups etc are 
therefore better (in general) is erroneous.

Giving a bottle at least allows the baby to suck, and it tends to 
allow for closeness and intimacy more easily than cups etc, which can 
be fiddly and messy.

>
>The real issue is:  what support is the mother getting, once she figures out
>her baby doesn't latch and feed the way she thought it would?  If the HCP
>says "Ain't no such thing as nipple confusion," and turns and walks away,
>that is hardly addressing what needs attention:  a baby who is not feeding
>at breast.


Obviously, all that is true!

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome