Carol,
these are good questions, and I don't have all the answers. I don't think
this (applying gentle pressure to baby's chin to widen mouth for a better
latch) was ever taught to me, nor do I recollect seeing it in any of the
standard LC texts. It is one of those things that I've done as part of my
practice for years, because it works! And just like anything else that
works, it surely is possible to have too much of a good thing, or to create
new problems by using too much force/ incorrect technique. If a baby has
tight muscle tone in the jaw, and is very resistant to this technique, then
obviously continuing with increasing amounts of pressure on the chin is NOT
a good idea. Same thing if the baby shows any sign of pain. I think it's a
matter of sensitivity to the baby, chin pressure can be really helpful if
used judiciously.
Not unlike the use of nipple shields. I remember when I was trained, they
were a big no-no. After a few years of occasionally trying them and having
them help when all else had failed, I realized that nipple shields do have
their place. Of course, the JHL issue that focused on nipple shields was a
big help, too. It would be great to hear more from other LCs about these
"chin activities". Bring it on!
Martha Johnson RN IBCLC
Eugene, OR
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 2:21 PM
To: Johnson, Martha (PHMG)
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: chin activities
martha, congratulations on moving over to the LC staff. sounds like a nice
change.
the reason i brought this up was probably because i had yet another visit
with yet another mom who had been taught to shove on her baby's chin to
"make" him open his mouth. i was reflecting on the fact that i never do
this.
never! if a baby needs to have pressure on his chin to open, then to me
there
is something else wrong that needs fixing. i do see oral aversion that seems
to stem from this sort of interaction with the baby (rough bottle feeding,
holding the head, etc.).
what made me curious about this is, if this is such a widely used technique,
then where is it described in what we might consider the primary teaching
materials we use? if it isn't described as a reasonable approach to fixing a
latch in R & A then where is it? why is everyone doing this? and is it
possible to always do this in a way that does no harm? if so, then why ISN'T
in one of our favorite texts?
carol brussel IBCLC
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