Let's have a discussion on nipple confusion (which I believe in to a certain
extent-don't flame me!)

Had the opportunity to listen to Chloe Fisher 2 weeks ago.  Her take is that
there isn't any such thing and she mentioned studies to back up her
statement.  She said the reason a baby is supplemented in the first place is
because they aren't latching or nursing effectively enough to get sufficient
colostrum/milk.  She feels by adjusting the latch and position the problems
associated with poor intake can be resolved without need for a bottle, but
if a bottle is used it is not the cause of the original problem.  (I hope I
have quoted the gist of what she said correctly!)

Sort of a which came first chicken or egg idea.  Did the baby have
suck/latch problem that led to supplementing with a bottle or did sucking on
a bottle create suck/latch problem?  We so glibbly use this as a reason when
a baby fails to breastfeed.  Are we simply giving mom an out/excuse for why
it didn't work, because her efforts and our skills aren't good enough to
help her so let's "blame" the baby/bottle/nurse who gave bottle/hospital
etc. (Chloe said we need to have someone or something to blame :-)

I only had a chance to briefly question her on this, but maybe someone who
heard the whole session could elaborate.  Or refer us to appropriate
articles.

Anyway....as a "true believer" in suck confusion I found it a very
intriguing idea.  Made me think over cases of "suck confusion" I worked with
over the years.  Just more food for thought on the theory that there is
usually no "one" right answer when it comes to breastfeeding :-)

Anyway it is a rainy weekend in NJ and I thought I'd challenge everyone to
think & debate   :-)  Sincerely, Pat in SNJ

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