I couldn't think of what subject line to use, as this is not exactly what I
mean.
As an LC who sees moms early in their parenting career, I often also need
to address other issues - one of which is the baby being put on his/her
back (SIDS prevention) and another of which is that babies need more than
just clean diapers, feeding and safe sleep.  They also need "play time".  

I try to make them aware of how their baby is communicating with them in
the "quiet alert" state and that this is the time to play, talk, sing - and
not just think: "he's awake so let me breastfeed him so he'll go to sleep".
 

Now my concern:  The SIDS coordinator here has told me of a death of a baby
that was NEVER put on her tummy - and she rolled over, vomited, and
aspirated - because (they think) her neck and body was not strong enough to
pull up the head.  She says they are having more reports from SIDS
coordinators nationwide of this problem,  even though they are trying to
teach moms to put babies to sleep on their backs - but to have them  play
on their stomachs so they can exercise their necks, backs, shoulders, etc..
 

I can see this will be a problem - most parents put their babies down and
don't really know when they fall asleep -  they put them down and expect
some fussing, crying, then finally baby falls asleep.  This is different
from having them fall asleep at the breast then putting them down (on their
backs) and when they are awake, putting them on their stomachs _and staying
there playing with the baby_ until baby either wants to be fed or gets
sleepy and wants to go to sleep and is then turned over on his back.

I know this is not exactly breastfeeding (exclusively) related, but we are
the ones seeing moms (at least I do) in their homes, can see what the home
situation is like and can give them suggestions on safe places and times to
play...  

Perhaps this is mostly a problem with low-income moms like the ones I see,
but I know that when my frist baby was born, I was so unsure of what to do
with him, the first 5 days (yes, in those days you stayed in the hospital
that long) I just did whatever the mother in the next bed (she had had a
previous baby, so I perceived her as an expert) did with her baby - a sort
of parallel play at age 24!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA
mailto:[log in to unmask]

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