In an elegantly done study that was published in Pedatrics (a journal the
nurse in question probably had sitting in that very office somewhere)
researchers demonstrated that breastfeeding is analgesic.  I've seen the
video made of some of this research, which Bobbi Phillips, MD (one of the
researchers) shared at a wonderful conf. last Spring in Jackson,
Mississippi.  In the video, babies were experiencing heel sticks.  They were
hooked up to heart rate monitors as one empirical way of registering and
measuring stress.  Their heart rates, crying behavior, and general affect
were noted prior to, during, and shortly after the traumatic intervention
(the heel stick).  There were 3 groups:  a group of babies that just lay on
a table and had the stick performed, a group of babies who got a drop of
something sweet to suck on during the procedure, and a group who were
breastfed during the procedure.  The babies who had nothing to suck on
during the intervention registered the most aggitation and had heart rates
that shot way up.  The babies who got a bit of sweet registered less stress.
The babies who breastfed through the heel stick didn't react.  It was as if
they didn't even perceive the stick! Their heart rates did not register any
increase in response.  So by empirical measures, these babies appeared to
demonstrate that the activity of bfg and the milk blocked pain signals.
This is very impt. research and puts to rest any notion that bfg is likely
to create a bad association between unpleasant stimuli and bfg itself.  On
the contrary, it is a humane and effective way to provide complete pain
relief during simple but unpleasant proceedures.

The complete ref is:  L Gray, L Miller, B Philipp, E Blass.  Breastfeeding
is analgesic in healthy newborns, Pediatrics 2002; 109(4):590-93.

When good evidence exists that refutes unexamined dogma, we have an
obligation to educate.  I'd obtain a copy of this article (easily done as
Pediatrics is on-line and you can access the abstract if not the full
article) and take this to the nurse in question.  I would politely make her
aware that her opinion is not scientifically verifiable.  Then you might
inform her that you will insist on speaking directly to the doctor if anyone
in the practice ever again informs you that you cannot comfort your child
during an invasive procedure.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
LactNews Press
www.lactnews.com

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