In a message dated 5/19/2004 8:17:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
But, what about those who had a totally natural birth,
no complications, were with mom most of the time, did not get anything
plastic or silicone in their mouths, and still=85=85..can't get the =
latch. =20
What is going on? I am seeing more and more of those, and I have no
explanation.  I would love to hear what the baby's excuses are.
Well, I wouldn't say the baby makes or needs excuses, I just think they do
what they  are motivated to do, and find workable and working. Those babies that
are not messed with in any way , and still don't latch also have good reason,
 plus ( for me) are even more heartbreaking. I think sometimes the baby's
tongue just doesn't work well, suckswallowbreathe is a challeng for some reason,
and they are often a challenge to feed no matter what tool is used. These
babies, in my opinion, may go on to show other problems later, with speech, with
motor control, with breath control, but because breastfeeding isn't seen as the
norm to strive for, the LC may be the only one still willing to do the
detective work, and keep trying to support the mom while this is all happening and
not succeeding in a solid breastfeeding relationship. Now WHY it seems more and
more babie have trouble with these basic human activities is something else,
I agree. Is it environmental contamination taking a toll on their neuromotor
systems in subtle ways? Do we have some people becoming parents now that woud
have not survived themselves if not for the technologies and tools we now have,
and therefore it makes sense that their offspring may need similar help, or
not be able to handle normal feeding ( which their parents were neither offered
nor expected to be part of, if they were bottlefed, etc) unless they receive
both intense and ongoing support from all health sectors? Women birthing later
in their childbearing lives, either as a natural consequence or an unnatural
one? I often think our impetuous decision to have a baby earlier than everyone
we knew ( and complete our family earlier)  was a good one for many reasons,
not the least of which is the fact that my husband works with volatile
chemicals and waiting 10 years or more would have meant that his sperm may have been
dangerously compromised, hyperbolically, as the years passed.
Esther, I share your frustration with and interest in, this line. I find it
much more challenging to work with babies who seem that they had all the
advantages  ( except perhaps MDs committeedto normal feeding ) and breastfeeding
still never happened. At least we can commiserate over these heartwrenching
situations...
Judy L:eVan Fram, PT, IBCLC, Brooklyn, USA

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