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Subject:
From:
Rachel Myr <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 8 Dec 2000 10:04:33 +0100
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Martha Johnson posted on the clear and dramatic differences she observes in
babies born with and without medication and intervention.

She also identifies induction as a factor impeding successful BF, and I
don't doubt it.  But to say 'A 37-38 weeker just does not feed the same as a
40 weeker' is to confuse the issue.  I know many babies born at that age and
younger, after spontaneous onset of labor and a normal course thereafter,
who have BF without the slightest trouble.  The crucial factor in my mind is
that these babies came when they were ready to, and not because they were
'from their mothers' wombs untimely rent'.

We still need all our knowledge about neurological development, so we can
take into consideration all possible reasons for a baby's difficulties when
they arise.  But my basic assumption continues to be that BF will succeed,
and I keep assuming that, until everything has been tried and failure is
proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Martha's post brought to mind the birth photos in 'The Family of Man'.  At
the time, it was not common to take pictures of US women in labor.  Wayne
Miller, who was Edward Steichen's assistant for the exhibit, has several
photos in the collection, including an excellent BF one, but the one I am
thinking of is on page 23 in the book, with the Scriabin quote 'The universe
resounds with the joyful cry I am' above it.  A man dressed for surgery is
holding a limp, scrawny boy who can't be more than a few seconds old, upside
down by his right leg.  The boy's eyes are closed.  It is a black and white
photo so you can't judge color, but he looks very pale as well.  There is no
hint of a cry anywhere, joyful or otherwise, I doubt his Apgar score would
have been over 3 at the moment the picture was taken.  This was what birth
looked like in the US in the 1950's and many people considered it normal.  I
have always believed Wayne Miller is the boy's father, and I like to think
the BF picture on page 25 is the same baby.

Martha, how fortunate the hospital is to have you there, who knows what
noraml newborn behavior is.  Do you have your own survival strategy in
place?

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway
grateful for the local shortage of anesthesiologists, as long as it lasts

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