I don't believe that feeding at the breast while receiving immunizations
will cause a baby to reject the breast any more than she would reject
holding if we hold her while she gets the "shots."  Feeding at the breast
is comforting and helps the baby feel connected, then all of the painful
life experiences are more bearable.

One of my daughters was very fearful of having her hair washed, so...I
nursed her while I washed and rinsed her hair. (You'd have to be there...)
The horror of hair washing didn't cause her to reject the breast, but it
helped her to feel safe while this necessary experience took place.

A client's 1 1/2 year old was burned.  During the months of the dressings
and other painful experiences, she was at her mother's breast.  All of the
medical personnel were amazed at her lack of fear.

Since we call it breastfeeding, we tend to see it as feeding; but to the
baby it is Mama, with all that that word holds. And when she is having
Mama, she can take anything.

Do you remember the story on Lactnet of the child asking Dad if he wanted
to nurse because he was having a bad time and nursing makes everything all
better?

So, I vote for that wonderful comforting place when painful experiences
must be endured.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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