My opinion on whether to 'fix' an apparently pain-free but-looks-poor latch
was well and truly formed a couple of years ago when i was running a
breastfeeding support service for our health district ie no age restriction
on baby.  I saw many mothers at about 6 weeks of age (baby, that is) with a
very typical story: baby feeding very often (hourly), coming off unhappy,
weight gains faltering, output dropping, everything fine until now.
Questioning (on phone consult) about latch would ALWAYS (emphasis, not
shout) result in mother reporting no problems with latch.

I'd have them come in for consult and sure enough, the latch would be lousy
(usually a nipple attachment). I'd work with them a few times to correct
latch and boost supply and they would go on to have no further problems.
Very often the mother would make the comment that several midwives observed
her feeding 'just like that' and no one said anything was wrong - why not?

Most other mothers with the same attachment would get nipple damage and/or
pain, and a problem would be noticed - but there is a group of women who
don't get either.  Their only problem is milk transfer which doesn't show
up until their milk production comes under autocrine control.  How often
have you heard the old 'lost my milk at 6 weeks', but also associated with
no engorgement when they stopped breastfeeding at that time.  I think that
this is what may have been their problem.

I, too, am aware of those babies who attach poorly and continue to for
years with no apparent problems with weight gains or nipple trauma. I
suspect that their mothers have an abundant milk supply which requires
little stimulation to maintain.
Also, I wonder if latch was improved in these instances whether there would
be other factors which would improve, ie. feeds not taking so long,
mother's supply decreasing as baby requires *less* milk as he is now
accessing the fat-rich hind milk, adequate weight gains becoming excellent
weight gains (because of more fat-rich milk)...

I'd like to hear others opinions.

Denise
****************************************************
Denise Fisher, BN, RM, IBCLC
BreastEd Online Lactation Studies Course
http://www.breasted.com.au
mailto:[log in to unmask]
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