I received my new Mothering today and as I read the letters to the editor, I
was surprised to find four letters opposed to the use of this position.
May I share some excerpts?
"At first the cross-cradle hold appears to work, but is soon causes a
variety of problems, including, wrist, arm, neck and back pain, sore
nipples, low weight gain, emotional distress, reliance on pillows, the baby
pulling on and off and failed lactation."

"...the mother holds the back of the baby's head with her hand, often
triggering the newborn instinct to root toward whatever is touching the
head.  So the baby turns away or pulls off the breast and then roots back to
the nipple.  On and off he goes, looking to his mother like he does not want
to nurse and also causing sore nipples."

"When mother asks for help, she is offered products such as pillows, nipple
shields, or a pump to try to make it work.  She's not told to use the cradle
position."

"In the cross-cradle hold, the mother lifts the baby's head to her breast.
In the cradle hold, the baby must reach a bit from his mother's arm to latch
on, and while he is reaching his lips learn to flange out properly."

"There is no way to fix the cross-cradle hold."

"First, the cross-cradle hold is of very limited usefulness in general.
Second, it can sometimes lead to a failed nursing relationship. Third, much
of the reason that the cross-cradle hold has come into vogue in the US
appears to me to be the introduction of pillows in the practice of nursing a
baby, which can actually be counterproductive for new moms."

------------------------------------------------------------
In my own practice, I find this position helpful for early feedings, but
also show the mom how to change over to the cradle hold once baby is latched
well, if she desire to change positions.  I find Rebecca Glover's "Follow Me
Mum" video indispensable for showing a variety of positions.   The other
thing that struck me when reading these letters is that I NEVER show/tell
moms to hold the back of the baby's head; rather I tell them to make a
'cradle' with their hand, with the thumb on one side and fingers on the
other and hold baby's neck and upper back,letting the head fall back gently
into that cradle while latching and feeding.

Just wanted to share - would welcome your views,
Ann Marie Henninger, RN, BSN, IBCLC candidate 2002

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html