In a message dated 8/29/2013 3:07:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Pat
writes:
culture, prenatal dx that something is wrong, easily available
alternative - all are significant in R/T to outcome. If you live in a country where
formula cost is prohibitive or unavailable you are going to want to BF
over all obstacles. If you live in US, then oh well it is a lot of trouble,
here give a bottle.
Hello all,
Pat you raise an interesting idea: are flat or inverted nipples "something
wrong" or are they a potentially different, perhaps a little more
challenging, variant of normal? Are they a birth defect? Are they a difference,
which may give a mom information that helps her avoid or overcome challenges in
the early days?
In a culture of breasts as sexual objects, and where formula is considered
freedom, modernity, entitlement, necessity, etc, how we view nipples that
are not perky and everted becomes more complicated. Whether it is a mild
tongue restriction that may or may not have functional implications short or
long term, or a flatter nipple that may or may not have functional
implication short or long term, it seems these variations can be seen as something
that information can help work with, or a reason to lack or lose confidence.
It may not be correct (embryologically speaking), but I might use the ole
Muggsy Bogues story. The generic version of this is: when you are walking
down the street with a friend who is a foot or two taller than you, your
legs are going to move differently, and may have to work harder to keep up
with your friend. This does not mean that there is anything wrong with your
legs, but your friend may have to make some allowances, either at first, or
even over time, so you can walk together. ( Muggy was a terrific player in
the National Basketball Association for 14 seasons, who was only five feet,
3 inches tall [ 1.60 meters], the shortest player even to play
professionally. ) Now I'm not sure, but I hope that perspective might help a mom to
both know that something is different, perhaps a little harder, but to be
creative, feel supported, and keep working together on getting to a smooth,
effective comfortable, enjoyable breastfeeding relationship, despite the
challenges.
Peace,
Judy
Judy LeVan Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL
Brooklyn, NY, USA
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