I had a few inquires after I mentioned the Charm Hold yesterday so I
thought it would be worth posting to the list in case there were any other
Lactnetters who aren't familiar with it. I know it is in the archives but
thought I would add my own take on this useful technique.

The Charm Hold works well for those babies who are not extending their
tongues past their gums.  This week I had two experienced mums with good
P & L who were having pain on day 3 because their babies was gumming them
instead of extending their tongues.

The instructions for the Charm Hold can be found on LLLI's web site

"The Charm Hold: “Lay the baby across his parent's lap face down toward the
floor with his hips flexed (bent). The parent supports the baby's forehead
with the heel of the her hand and extends a clean index finger with
smoothly trimmed fingernail for the baby to suck until the tight tongue
relaxes and comes forward to snuggles around the finger. It may take
several minutes for this to happen. It is called the Charm hold because
it ‘works like a charm.’  As soon as the baby 's tongue relaxes, he can be
gently turned right-side-up and immediately offered the breast. “

From: Helping a Mother with a Baby Who Is Reluctant to Nurse
<http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVOctNov99p99.html>

I like to hold the baby strandled along my forearm with their bum up
against the bend in my elbow and the baby's cheeks cradled in the hand of
the same arm. Baby is facing the floor. I then use the finger on the
opposite hand with my nail against the baby's tongue and my finger pad on
the roof of the baby's mouth.

Most babies will start by gumming your finger and then as gravity helps
pull their tongue forward, they begin to relax and extend further until
sucking well.  I often will gently press on the roof of their mouth and
just wait for them to start sucking.

The tongue usually stays extended when baby goes to the breast after using
the Charm Hold .  At least it does with an uncomplicated baby who just
isn't sure what to do.  Especially if caught early enough that suck is only
disorganized and baby isn't aversive. I suggest mum or dad repeat this
exercise before each feeding until baby "gets it" and sucks well at the
breast without it.

Janet Vandenberg RN, BScN, IBCLC
Ontario, Canada

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