Jan,

Maybe the mom is open to LLL? It sounds like she needs some validation for
her 5 week old's normal needs and for her efforts to meet them. The saying,
"a baby's wants and needs are one" comes to mind. Sounds like she needs some
help shifting gears into motherhood. Is this her first? Does she have a
friend, family member, support group who has experience nursing and meeting
babies needs with a positive attitude? Does she need permission to respond
to her baby's needs? Is she trying to do other things and expecting more of
herself than is realistic at time time?

Maybe some reminders of how short a time this is that her baby is completely
dependent upon her and what a difference she is making in this little
person's emotional life by responding to his/her needs.

I've been noticing an attitude among new parents of: our needs first, baby
needs to fit our lifestyle and/or gets shipped off to babysitter/nanny,
minimal disruption please. It seems to be rippling through popular culture,
at least among USsies and AUSsies because I'm seeing it out here among that
population which is the dominant cultural model here.

Sigh.


Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie, Midwife
East Caroline Islands, Pacific Ocean

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