In a message dated 7/3/98 12:55:01 PM, Jeanette wrote:

<<I suggested skin to skin and trying to keep the baby near the "cafeteria so
he can smell the pork chops" to see if we could get a couple of feedings in
that period.>>

Terrific suggestions.

<<I realize we are interfering with the baby's natural biorhythms,>>

Your management suggestions do not seem to me to be at all like
interference:-) On the contrary they sound like gentle encouragement
techniques that will benefit this mother-baby couple in several ways including
an increase in opportunities for feedings during that 12 hour period that baby
has been sleeping.

Even a step further, if deemed appropriate, moms who know what lighter sleep
states look like can take advantage of those opportunities to attempt to
awaken a baby. Even if it is just for the mother's comfort - which as you
conveyed to your client, is important, as well as to decrease the liklihood of
overfilling/stasis problems developing in these early weeks.

<<but is it not better in these cases to help baby to adjust a little to mom
rather than having mom pump (which will tempt her to give it in bottles - or
grandma to), or risk sore nipples, engorgement, plugged ducts and mastitis?>>

I agree totally.

Deb

Deborah Tobin RN BSN IBCLC LCCE
Springfield, Virginia USA
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