Hi everyone,

I've seen more mastitis and abcesses in the years I've worked in Detroit than from my 18 years in Chicago. (Several a month!) When they are admitted to hospital, as is often the case, they do not pump or treat as directed.

a good number of cases I have seen are a result of women of Arabic culture who have used vasoline on their cracked nipples. (The last one I saw had used gauze from baby's circumcision as a nursing pad for leaking milk, the strings of gauze were imbedded in the serous drainage and scabbed over.)  Most of the women of this group that I see have cracked and sore nipples from positioning: they lean over the baby who is laying on their back on a pillow on the lap. The baby then hangs off the nipple and breast which causes cracks at the base of both nipples. Several women who I have questioned about this position argued with me that they didn't think the milk would come out of the breast unless they were leaning over; i.e. the milk pours out of the breast like liquid from a bottle.

I had no experience with this particular population until I moved to Detroit and had no predisposed ideas about cultural practices; this is simply from nine years of observation. I haven't been able  to effect a change that I am aware of but will continue to try to explain accurate concepts and try to help.  The argument I get from colleagues is that "they go on to nurse for a year or more so just leave them alone and let them do it their way".  May I add that ALL of them give formula for the first three days and I seriously doubt anyone goes on to exclusively breastfeed.
So where's the health advantage there?

Comments?


Mary Kay Smith, RN, IBCLC, FILCA
Lactation Consultant
Henry Ford Hospital
Detroit MI
313-916-8363 office
146-4333 in house pager
313-990-4333 long range pager

"Babies are born to breastfeed"

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