Dear Kathleen,
I have a couple things to say about the relationship of suctioning to
breastfeeding latch-on.  I attend a number of births with my students
so I get to see what is done to the baby and also be there forethat
first latching-on attemp.  Just last night attended another birth where
there water had broken with some meconium in the water.  The parents
had requested no more than bulb suctioning.  Because of the meconium
the doctor explained that they would have to do more.  As soon as the
baby came out it was handed to the nurse practitioner and the suctioning
began.  The baby was very aggitated but soon quieted.  This baby did
not latch on for at least 8 hours after that and each time she was put
to the breast she pushed away.  This is not the first time I have seen
this.  She was also a very tired baby, more than usual, expecially for
a short labor and the use of no drugs.  I have a theory, although based
on my observation alone along with limited knowledge the newborn.  I
think that not only does the suctioning irritate the mouth, laryx and
nose of a baby so that it is sore to the touch and sore to swallow but
it also tires a baby so that it needs time to recover enough strength to
feed.  I have also read in a recent article that such "trauma" to a
newborn can cause the newborn to return to fetal heart function (using
only two chambers of the heart instead of all four) and that this can
cause stress to the systems and may limit oxygen intake.  A medical
professional will have to verify that for all of you because I am
basing this on one artical
I also have to think about how adults who have had an N/G tube for
even just hours will complain of the discomfort they have in resuming
regular liquids.
I truely feel that this is an interesting topic that needs further in
vestigation.  Especially since some hospitals in their attempt to be
through do gastric lavage on ALL babies born in their hospital.
I will be sitting at the computer waiting to hear more about this since
this is something childbirth educator and a La Leche League should be
concerned about.

Becky

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Becky Hanson, BA, LLLI, AAHCC, ICEA & MOM X 2