I am really enjoying this discussion on cross cradle vs. cradle hold as it
is something I have thought about for a long time. So many important points
have already been mentioned, that I don't need to repeat.
I guess the problem I see with the cross cradle hold is not the hold itself
but the poor way in which it is put into practice. I even have mums (and
midwifes) who think the cradle and cross cradle holds are the same! That is
how entrenched the cross cradle hold is where I work ;-)
Most of the mothers I see have their hand too far up towards the babies
head, causing them to flex the head when attaching.
I ask the mothers to support the babies behind the shoulders so that her
fingers are supporting the neck and the baby is then free to extend his head
and come in chin first. Her fingers should not be above the base of the
ears. I demonstrate "sculling a beer" to show how the chin leads, head back
and tongue down (Rebecca Glover does this in her video)
I also constantly see babies being too far away, there should be *no* gap
between the mother and the baby, with baby's back in a straight line head
facing the breast, not facing out towards the ceiling.
I agree with Diane that cross cradle is not a natural way to hold a baby.
One LC here in Melb likens it to saying "here is your dinner..... and then
shoving your face in your plate". It is another 'tool' useful for certain
situations, but not all. I feel we are losing the art of teaching the cradle
hold, and so many mothers are not shown any other hold other than the cross
cradle. They end up with sore necks, shoulders and a reliance on pillows for
props.
For example, I had a 9 week old (5.5 kg) baby last week, fussing squirming
and fighting at the breast. Third visit to our Centre, but the first time I
had met her. (first 2 visits for supply issues, now resolved). The mum was
still using cross cradle, had sore wrists from the weight of the baby and
the baby was objecting to being shoved on this way. I showed her cradle
hold, both of them relaxed and happy......Why hadn't this mum progressed to
cradle herself, I ask? This is the way they are taught to feed initially so
it must be the 'right' way (in their minds). Her social circle of
friends/family are not breastfeeders so she is not exposed to seeing others
feeding and learning from them. I encouraged her to join her local ABA group
so she would be exposed to other breastfeeding mothers but doubt that she
will follow through.
My point is we need to show mums all *different *ways of holding their baby,
and make sure that the 'principles' (eg tummy to tummy, chin to breast etc)
are correct.
Glad to see this discussion out in the open!!
Cheers
Karen Clements
RM IBCLC
Melb Aust
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