I just have to share some positive news...This week, I have had the
pleasure to witness a beautiful progression.  A mom, who attended our LLL
meeting last month, called and said she had just delivered (totally
natural, at home--actually in her apartment as the "house mom" for a local
sorority house!), and would I come over.  When I arrived, the mom, dad and
grandma were all relaxed and sitting around marvelling at this now 20 hour
old baby.  Mom was concerned because baby hadn't really latched on yet and
was so sleepy (he was 37 weeks gest).  It happened to be sunny, in the mid
80s with 90% humidity so I suggested taking off his clothing, and closing
the blinds, and wa-la...baby opened his eyes and coo-ed softly at the mom.
She tried to latch, but baby just wanted to look at her.  I suggested
expressing a drop of colostrum and he then went on to lick the breast
repeatedly, but still no latch.  I checked his suck--not terribly strong,
but okay structure; then showed mom how to check for dehydration and how to
do infant massage (baby was showing discomfort when passing meconium).
Baby loved the massage and interacted great.  I re-assured mom that all was
well and to keep up the drops of colostrum, as well as the massage if she
liked.
        At about 36 hours baby seemed more interested in latching.  I
phoned mom to check in and asked how her midwife visit went.  All was well,
but milk not in and baby not actively nursing (I re-assured her again).  We
agreed that I check in on her today.  Today I saw mom and baby at their
home and was awe-struck by how everyone's patience had paid off.  This baby
was alert, calm, actively nursing, and mom's milk was in--without
engorgement.  She had continued to put him to the breast every 1.5-2 hours
until today (say 48-60 hours old), and he stimulated the nipple/areola
enough to bring in a bountiful milk supply.  Mom and baby look great and
are the most relaxed dyad I have ever seen--in spite of the mom being the
classic first time mom asking "Is this okay? Is this normal?  The mom
confided that my teaching all of them massage was a great gift because they
weren't constantly fussing over why he wasn't eating or the need to "do
something."  When they felt that impulse, they rubbed the baby down.  A
lovely symbiotic relaxation technique!

: )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC  email: [log in to unmask]   : )
: )HSR & Health Educational Consultant        voice/fax: 541 753 7340    : )
: )LLLLLLLLLLLLL**CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!**LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL : )