Cathy wrote:
" in some sense I think that birth *is* essentially traumatic in
nature,
from the baby's perspective"

How true.  When parents (and even staff) get upset about baby's
"zonked out" phase after the initial alert phase, I say something
like, "Remember, birth has been a major experience for the baby
too.  Imagine being thrust from your familiar environment, shoved
through a tight tunnel and into bright lights and loud noises (even
dim and quiet is a big change from what baby is accustomed to).  You
go from everything being provided for you immediately to having to
get your own oxygen (breathe) and food (nurse).  It's no wonder they
reach a point where they say, in effect, 'Enough, I need to take a
time out and get my bearings again, see you later!'"  At this point,
mom, dad (and staff) can identify with the baby, not just their own
perspective, and get more relaxed about it.  I use similar images in
other aspects of helping parents understand their babies.  To me,
that is true "baby whispering" - trying to see the world from baby's
perspective rather than trying to impose our own perceptions and
needs onto the baby.  It should be listening to what baby is
whispering, not trying to whisper TO the baby.

Winnie Mading, RNC, IBCLC - having "listened" to babies for over 30
years

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