In response to Mari Schmidt's post, and Jessica's reply, I, too, was going
to suggest a laid back position, with the mother lying back and semi
reclining on pillows and the baby on top of her, sucking "uphill".  The fact
that feeding in the tub in this position helped is encouraging.  It may not
have been just the relaxation of the warm water, but the position, too.

Various prone positions are illustrated in Cathy Genna's Supporting Sucking
Skills (wonderful book) and also in Suzanne Colson's Introduction to
Biological Nurturing.  Variations include having the baby at the mother's
side and lying across her to access the breast, as well as simply lying
prone on top of her.  It is good to see the use of these positions
vindicated (in appropriate circumstances). I gave directions for what was
then called "posture feeding" in one of my books many years ago - and was
laughed at in some circles for being out-of-date.  Not so!

Among the issues a prone position can help with are fast flow.  It can also
help - first - to let the milk flow at the start of the first MER, or
express till that first let-down of milk, even if only at some feeds (e.g.
the first few feeds in the morning when over full).

Anyway, Mari, as this prone position has worked for your daughter's baby in
the bath, it would make sense to use in on the bed or in a deep chair, too.

Babies with slight tongue tie may slip off the breast, from not making a
good seal, and they may also have difficulty with controlling a fast flow.
Even though a tongue tie has been ruled out, it depends on how proficient
and up-to-date the people are who looked at it.  Old definitions may not
pick up some tongue ties.  A good definition and pictures can be found on at
www.tongue-tie.net, the website of the international tongue tie group.
Congratulations on your new grandchild.  Your daughter is fortunate in
having your support.

Virginia

Dr Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA 
Private Practice Lactation Consultant (cohort of 1985)
Brisbane, Qld, Australia 
E: [log in to unmask] 
 
On Sun, 26 Dec 2010 "Jessica L. Callahan" wrote:

I have found that reclining back seems to work really well for these babies.
As gravity helps to slow let down and allows babies to feel like they have
more control and not 'choking' on the milk as it comes out. 

Jessica RN, IBCLC
USA, NC

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