Recent post credited this diagnostic "tool" to Marsha Walker.
Thanks, I have been trying to remember where I first heard it.
Since then I have been emphasizing to new moms that if they remember
nothing else from the info I give them, please remember the 3 keey
indicators of whether baby is doing an efficient job.

1-Mom's comfort - no pain, especially pinching or biting.  (I note
that for some, the first few "tuggy" sucks can be a litle
uncomfortable at first-see point #3)
2-Deep Jaw Excursions (which we usually abbreviate as DJEs)
3-Shape of nipple the moment baby lets go (or mom takes baby off).
The only difference she should see it it will probably look a little
longer overall.  Any funny shapes, especially pinches or angles that
weren't there before mean the latch porbably could be a little more
effective.  I usually word it as, "The only change in the shape and
profile of your nipple before and after nursing should be in the
overallk length."  If mom did experience a little mild discomfort
the first few sucks that weren't "pinchy" or "bitey" and the nipple
profile is normal after the feeding, the discomfort was probably
normal for that mom the first couple days.  She needs to keep watch
of that nipple shape, however, and if it changes, then she and baby
need to work on refining the latch.

I find that by emphasizing these "3 keys" moms have something
concrete to evaluate and know when they need help.

Winnie

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