Dear Friends:
    I am presently reading Dr. Karp's book, Happiest Baby on the Block. 
    My understanding of my professional role is that I work to promote the 
breastfeeding relationship. I help mothers to identify infant feeding cues, find 
comfortable positions for breastfeeding, and develop various strategies to 
engage with their babies. I am confused by what is said in this book.
    I wonder how a baby swaddled 12-20 hours a day from birth to 4 months 
(pp.120-121) can participate in relationship; although "after 1-2 months, you can 
reduce the wrap time according to how calm she is without it."  Dr. Karp 
mentions that some babies need to be swaddled more than 20 hours a day!  He 
compares swaddling to time in the uterus. Does he forget that a baby in the uterus 
can still move? Every mother remembering those sore spots from repeated kicking 
andd the flutters of the sweet wee hands can attest to baby's activity 
inside, despite the tight quarters at the end of pregnancy.
    The uterus is a flexible swaddle, not a rigid one.
    I am also dismayed at the material showing the difference between a 4 day 
old baby (basically not much going on) and a 4 month one (p.82). After 
watching and listening to Marshall Klaus describing "The Amazing Talents of the 
Newborn" in a video of the same name, where babies under 2 weeks old are shown 
copying maternal facial expressions, and reaching out and touching their mothers, 
and engaging in play with their grandfathers, how can anyone doubt the 
ability of the newborn to participate in relationship? Even a newborn can reach out 
and try to grab the nipple and put it in her mouth ("Baby's Choice" video by 
Ann-Marie Widstrom).
    How can breastfeeding work if a baby is swaddled 12-24 hours a day? How 
can healthy relationship be built if a baby is restrained?
    warmly,

Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI

www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com

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