Re: the issue of the teen who did not want a confused baby, just goes to
show how different words affect different people.

I try not to use the term "nipple confusion" when talking about what we see
in babies.  Instead, I try to remember to use the term "nipple preference"
which is what I think we are really seeing.  The baby comes to prefer the
nipple that he/she has been first or most often exposed to.  When that
happens to be arubber teat (particularly one vanilla flavored) that is what
the baby prefers and when got getting it, will express
displeasure/frustration, etc.

If the baby has received a mother's breast first and primarily, that baby
often indicates his/her preference for it by refusing others, being a very
sloppy bottle-feeder (mouth is open too wide), etc.

Perthaps if we then explain what we mean when we use such terms, the
"confusion" of the teen mother metnioned can be avoided.  BTW, I do not
attribute her confusion to her age; rather, to her lack of familiarity with
what the teacher was discussing.  It is up to those of us who teach to make
sure that our teachees understand the vocabulary we are using.




Def. of LC service: "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities
brilliantly disguised as impossible situations."
Kathleen G. Auerbach,PhD, IBCLC (Homewood, IL)- [log in to unmask]