Liz,
It strikes me, in reading about this baby, that this is not a baby
angry at leaving the perfect womb. You mention a long labor and a
mother who cannot express milk--have you considered breast edema? Also,
with a long labor, you often have a baby in a poor position or who has
been exposed to pit, epidural drugs and possibly other interventive
stressors. When I see a baby like this, I am more likely to consider
that the baby is uncomfortable than angry. As to SKS, it seems to me
mom can just lie on her side with baby facing her chest--as if nursing
in a side-lying position. It worries me that so many babies in pain are
seen by LCs and never referred for this problem--releasing birth trauma
is a far better intervention than nipple shields, AIM or any other
tehnique that tries to bypass the outcomes of birth trauma rather than
healing it.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA
---------------------------
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 15:46:34 -0500
From: Liz Brooks <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Is side-by-side the same as skin-to-skin?
I spoke by phone with the mother of a 41 week AGA, 36-hour old baby
girl,
first-born by non-eventful vaginal delivery. Baby was red-faced
furious at
breast the first day; wouldn't latch enough for even one suckle. They
offered a nipple shield, which seemed to improve B's wilingness to
latch and
suckle as the second day of life commenced. (Including --gag -- drops
of
formula on the nipple shield, cuz mom couldn't manually express any
milk
out.) Hospital says there has been a *9%* weight loss. Hmm. I am
wondering
about that ...
I talked about LOTS of true skin-to-skin once the family gets home (at
about
Hour 42-44), and practicing manual expression to express drops to
entice
baby.
Her Q is this: lying on her back is very uncomfortable (long labor;
stitches for vaginal tears). Is skin-to-skin "as effective" if she is
on
her side, the baby snugged up into her tummy area?
I gotta admit I was stumped. I am going to dig up my Kangaroo Care
stuff,
but am hoping someones here has a quick opinion. I understand that for
premies, the instructions are pretty clear that the baby is to be lying
chest-to-chest with mom (or dad). That full-body-hug can certainly
assure
the baby is kept toasty warm.
But what about side-to-side for a full-termer, who appears to be just
mad
that she had to give up that perfect womb? (I told Mom to make sure
they
are draped with a receiving blanket or sheet to retain body heat --
have
baby wearing a cap and maybe booties.)
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