>In defense of those telling mom's to wake the babies...  The babies I see in
>the hospital I work in are 99% "intervention birth" babies.  We have
>currently a 99% epidural rate.  So then add induction's with pitocin, vacuum
>extractors, forceps, C/S births after labor...  These are "affected" babies
>that aren't going to care if they eat or not for several days.  IF they don't
>wake and offer the breast, and observe for feeding cues and offer breast when
>seen, then the babies aren't going to get fed.


Evonne, I think there is a lot in what you say....medicated babies
are less likely to feed physiologically, and may need encouragement
to perk up.

I am concerned that the way babies are born starts a 'cascade of
interveition' with the postnatal care, and this is a result of the
professionals in charge of labour and birth just not seeing the
effects of what happens days later.

I do think the way babies are woken can be harsh (speaking from what
I know of hospital routines in the UK only here) and that medicated
babies are even more in need of bedding in and as much skin to skin
as possible.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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