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On Sun, 4 May 2008 Robin Roots wrote:
" This is actually pretty common where I work. The peds won't send them
home unless they've stooled ....
I use a gentle massage over the transverse colon and along the desending colon (left side)....
Then I warm up some wipes and gently wipe (stimulate) the rectum ....
I also take a rectal temp after lots of massage and babies are nice
and comfy and so relaxed their legs will go in any direction. Use a litt=
le KY and it does the trick. .... Whatever you do of course be very gentle.
This method has never failed me. "
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Hi,
Robin's method reminds me of what Ashley Montagu wrote years ago in his book, Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin. He described the licking of newborn by livestock and other animals, including licking the anal area, to stimulate a number of bodily systems, including stooling. Apparently, the longer human labour because of the human infant's larger head provides a similar stimulation, which is why humans don't have a licking behaviour. If the animal mother for some reason didn't do the licking, rubbing the calf over with something rough, such as a piece of sack or crumpled paper bag, was needed to provide the skin stimulation.
So - with more C-sections, perhaps sufficient stimulation is something that some babies need to have provided for them in other ways. Gentle body massage with a soft cloth, e.g. over the transverse and descending colons, and wiping the anus, may be the appropriate way to do this. I knew this years ago and applied it to motherless calves, but I had forgotten. Thank you, Robin, for reminding us all.
Virginia
Dr Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC
Honorary Research Fellow
School of History, Philosophy, Religion & Classics
The University of Queensland, QLD 4072
Australia
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