For years I have been seeing babies that are medicated and seem clueless about
what to do when the breast appears.  Sometimes they open their mouths and attach
and then don't suck, or sometimes they seem mystified about the whole process .
Just wanted to share the story of one little girl who amazed me.

I was called to delivery to assist a new mom and her baby girl.  Baby was full
term and still wet, wrapped up warm blankets and looking for the breast.  Got
mom unwrapped and baby in position.  When I saw moms very flat nipples I took a
deep breath.  Oh boy.  This little girl put her mouth to the breast and licked a
bit, then formed her mouth into a little O like an adapted syringe.  she then
pulled and pulled until the nipple extended, then she opened wide and attached
correctly!  After a few minutes she stopped and once again pulled the nipple out
and then attached correctly and nursed until she was done.  I was in awe of this
child's ability to self correct the situation.

This was on  a Friday afternoon, and I was eager to see how things were going
the next week.  Mom said all was well, baby was nursing frequently.  I asked
them to come in for a weight check.  They brought her in at 7 days and she was 5
ounces over birth weight.  If all babies could figure things out like this
little girl did, my life would be a LOT simpler.  I told the parents that they
had one smart little girl...............................

Ann Calandro, Waxhaw, NC