Regarding baby with a breathing problem, Jeanne asks:
"But if that is so, why do we hear about babies, who have also
received bottles, who begin refusing
to nurse because "it is easier to drink from a bottle"?"

I think we're talking about different things when we say "easier".
In the studies of Paula Meier, it was stress they were measuring.
Because baby is "in control" with breastfeeding, he/she is able to
beter coordinate the suck-swallow-breathe cycle.  With a bottle,
just turn one upside down and you'll see milk dripping out.  This
means baby has no choice with the bottle in its mouth-swallow or
choke.  When a baby is a premie or ill, the "choice" is often choke
because baby can't get it all together and swallow except by it's
own timing and choice.  With a baby having no other stressors (e.g.
illness, prematurity, etc.) it isn't necessarily a physiological
problem.
When a baby who's gotten used to the immediate gratification from a
bottle goes to breast and has to suck a few times to "prime the
pump" they act as if they are wondering "what's wrong here?" and may
give up after one or two sucks, before the MER has occurred.  Then
add the difference is shape and fell (including the fact that bottle
nipple touches the "S-spot" immediately while again it takes a few
sucks to draw mom's nipple/areola to stimulate the same area.  This
baby is interpreted as finding the bottle "easier" while, IMO, it's
a matter of familiarity.  The more times a baby gets an artificial
nipple, the more likely these differences can interfere with
nursing.  For some babies, once or twice is too many while with
another baby, it doesn't seem to matter how many times, they still
can go back and forth with relative ease.
Thisa is why I maintain that "nipple confusion" isn't a simple
matter.  Any one or more of the differences in feel, action, etc.
between breast and bottle can be a point of "confusion" for a given
baby and it's different for each baby.  Hence the view of many that
"nipple confusion" doesn't exist.  They're giving it a narow
definition.

Winnie

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