My co-Leader has a son who had heart surgery before his initial
discharge from the hospital as a newborn. The mention of the "stiff"
cardiac baby brought him to my mind as he resisted being held, and was
happiest when lying alone. It took several weeks of his mother patiently
teaching him to accept being cuddled, which she felt was important for
his development. She assumed this was a result of spending so much time
in his early weeks lying in a bed tied to various equipment. He
eventually did learn to enjoy being held.

Incidentally, breastfeeding was quite delayed due to his condition, and
when at his three month checkup she proudly announced that he was no
longer taking any bottles and was finally totally breastfed, the
resident looked at her quizically and said, "Isn't it supposed to go the
other way?"

Catherine Mallon
LLLCanada Leader