As regards "nipple confusion", I truly believe, after almost 20 years in
the business that there are babies (often those "with an attitude") who
develop "nipple preference". Possibly they imprint very strongly with
what they feed with or suck on in the early hours and days and desire no
other nipple. This could be between bottle and breast or between right
breast from left breast. These babies seem to like or dislike things
very strongly. Perhaps it is a part of their personality. I doubt if
anyone knows for sure, but there are babies who get one or two bottles
in the hospital (perhaps night shift) and will refuse to go back to
breast (maybe forever). They appear angry, determined and frantic. Their
mothers are beside themselves. Of note, perhaps these would be the same
babies who , if imprinted on the breasts, will refuse to take a bottle.
We need to stop thinking of babies as "things" which can be manipulated,
but as people with different personalities, who react to the same things
differently.  I would rather see a breast baby who won't take a bottle
than a breast baby who won't take a breast, so I encourage mothers to
avoid artificial nipples for the first month unless medically necessary.
Cheryl Muller, RNC. IBCLC




From:    Pat Young <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Nipple confusion

Let's have a discussion on nipple confusion (which I believe in to a
certain extent-don't flame me!)

Had the opportunity to listen to Chloe Fisher 2 weeks ago.  Her take is
that there isn't any such thing and she mentioned studies to back up her
statement.  She said the reason a baby is supplemented in the first
place is because they aren't latching or nursing effectively enough to
get sufficient colostrum/milk.  She feels by adjusting the latch and
position the problems associated with poor intake can be resolved
without need for a bottle, but if a bottle is used it is not the cause
of the original problem.  (I hope I have quoted the gist of what she
said correctly!)

Sort of a which came first chicken or egg idea.  Did the baby have
suck/latch problem that led to supplementing with a bottle or did
sucking on a bottle create suck/latch problem?  We so glibbly use this
as a reason when a baby fails to breastfeed.  Are we simply giving mom
an out/excuse for why it didn't work, because her efforts and our skills
aren't good enough to help her so let's "blame" the baby/bottle/nurse
who gave bottle/hospital etc. (Chloe said we need to have someone or
something to blame :-)

I only had a chance to briefly question her on this, but maybe someone
who heard the whole session could elaborate.  Or refer us to appropriate
articles.

Anyway....as a "true believer" in suck confusion I found it a very
intriguing idea.  Made me think over cases of "suck confusion" I worked
with over the years.  Just more food for thought on the theory that
there is usually no "one" right answer when it comes to breastfeeding
:-)

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