I can understand Kathy's concerns, but if I suggest pumping and alternative
feeding to a mom, it is because the pain of latching her baby is too
excruciating for her to consider. She is on the brink of quitting, and this is just
a brief interruption. Other moms just make the choice on their own when they
are in so much pain nursing, but pumping doesn't hurt. They want to provide
breastmilk, and they want to enjoy the baby and not suffer through every
feeding. I cannot argue with them when I look at the level of damage they have
been suffering with until I see them. The other time I make the suggestion
is for the baby who is already not sucking effectively. A baby who is below
birth weight at 3 weeks and on the breast all day is not feeding well. Goal
is get the supply up, get the baby fed, get the weight up...not necessarily in
that order.
I personally use Dee Kassling's bottle feeding method. I have yet to find a
wide base bottle that also allows the nipple of the bottle to go back far
enough. When I find one, that is slow flow, and not so soft the baby can
thrust the nipple into the base, I will try it. I do not have a huge problem
getting babies back to breast. Maybe the moms are very motivated, or maybe the
baby is. I don't know. But, I have mom do all feedings, no one else. Skin to
skin for every single feeding. Close to her body. Feed slow, do not just
let the baby guzzle down a bottle in 5 minutes. I find that those moms who
think they cannot use a bottle and go back to breast, will choose to pump and
bottle feed exclusively because the pain is just that great. This is not
necessary for every baby and every mom. But for those moms with extremely damaged
nipples, I think it saves breastfeeding for them.
I have not really had such a hard time getting babies back to a breast. I
find that if moms are patient and gentle and persistent, any baby who 'can'
breastfeed, will breastfeed. And, in my experience, those babies who cannot
breastfeed have some other underlying issue that does in fact show up
eventually or self resolves when they are older. Again, protect the supply, be
patient and many babies do choose breastfeeding.
Take care,
Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC, RLC
***********************************************
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
