In a message dated 11/21/99 9:53:54 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

Laurie writes:
<< It seems the more I read, learn, and practice, the less I know about the
 basics. And I was wondering, when you guys see babies on their first or
 second nursing and they are doing the open/pause/close type of sucking and
 having audible swallowing, but the latch is not what I would call optimal or
 the baby "slurps" on, do you intervene and offer (gently) advice at
 "correction?" I feel compelled to gently improve things. >>

I agree with the ALL of the above statements. As one who works primarily with
babies less than 3 days old, I may or may not take the baby off for
reattachment at that time, but I would encourage the mom to work on optimal
latch. I usually like to tell her that this other latch may cause sore
nipples AND the baby may not get as much milk as he could get if he were
latched on better.  I have seen too many moms who are willing to bear the
pain just as long as the baby is latched & getting milk. Once they understand
that it is also be affecting their babies, they are more willing to take baby
off for reattachment.

I like to tell moms that this is their first parenting lesson. (Sometimes it
is very hard to get a brand new mom to take her baby off the breast even if
the latch is not great. They almost feel like they are being mean & punishing
 their babies, esp. if they cry.) You stop the behavior that you don't want
repeated (less-than-optimal latch) and you reward the behavior that you want
repeated (good latch, baby continues to suck & then gets milk).

I also let them know that the first couple of feedings may not be perfect.
Mom & baby are learning. They will get better with the next feeding. I will
point out factors that are conducive to getting a good latch & make
suggestions for changes that may help.

Laura Hart
Winter Park, Florida

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