Ann asks,

> .  Is there ever a reason NOT to put a baby to breast?
>
Well, I can think of several, but they are all related to very ill infants in
need of resuscitation.  But I don't think that is what you meant.  <g>

The midwife in this case was practicing "just in case obstetrics."  (Just in
case midwifery includes putting the baby to the breast).  There is no reason
to keep a healthy baby from going to the breast as soon after birth as they
desire.

In the birthing center with which I was affiliated many years ago,  all
babies were expected to go to the breast shortly after delivery to prevent
excessive bleeding.  If baby didn't latch for some reason, and there was more
bleeding than was warranted, usually daddy was willing to help out.  And
occasionally, yes, we did have to start and IV and give Pit.  But the
consensus of the physicians was that there was less PP bleeding in the
birthing center than there was in the hospital where IVs and Pit were a part
of every birth.

Sounds as though this midwife has a physician's heart.  There are physicians
with midwife hearts -- they are treasures!  Sometimes I think there are
IBCLCs with physician hearts, and there are some physicians with LC
hearts....(and often the IBCLC to go along with it as well!!)  I think it's
the heart of the person, not the education or letters after their name that
makes the difference.

Waiting now to see how many people misunderstand this post, because I'm not
sure I explained myself clearly...

Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC -- Wheaton IL
Lactation Education Consultants
www.lactationeducationconsultants.com

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