Pam wrote:
"During rounds yesterday at the hospital, a mother said to me
that the LC she saw the previous day "confused" her with her explanation of
latch and positioning.  This comment really made me think - are we part of
the problem?  Do we get so hung up on the mechanics of all of this that we
are giving mothers the impression that breastfeeding is so difficult that
they will not succeed unless the lactation consultant is there?  Just
wondering..."

I was the LC the mother saw previously to Pam and I'm sorry that she didn't
tell *me* that she was confused by my explanation of latch and positioning.
I agree with Pam that left alone, most mothers and babies will eventually
figure it out for themselves if mom is committed to breastfeeding and birth
has not been interfered with too much to interfere with the baby's
instincts.  I have been working in lactation for 29 years and at the time I
began, we didn't yet understand the relationship between sore nipples and
latch/positioning.  The suggestions I was taught to give included air to the
nipples (remember tea strainers, anyone?), lanolin, and sometimes limiting
nursing time.  I remember many times encouraging a mom to "just stick with
it and it will get better" and most of the time, it did.  I wonder, though,
how many mothers we lost because the pain became more than they could
tolerate. I like to tell moms I see today that if the baby is gaining weight
and their nipples aren't sore, I don't care how they breastfeed!  But if
baby is not gaining well or the nipples do become sore, we have learned that
many times achieving a deeper, asymmetric latch can be helpful and then I
try to show the mom what I mean with her baby if he is willing or with
handouts and my doll if the baby is asleep or not in the room.  I think it's
important for moms to know that if problems occur during their
breastfeeding, there are people who can help and solutions to try that do
not include giving bottles first!
    Kristeen Rogers, RN, BSN, IBCLC
    Crystal Lake, IL

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