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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 24 Mar 1998 09:07:47 EST
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Helen,
I totally agree with your post.  I have been reading others and have many
problems with a agressive hands on approach.
A midwife I work with will tell me how she helped this mom and baby to
breastfeed, using the hands on appraoch and the mom's comment is "will you
come home with me." How is this beneficial? Yes you proved to the mom it can
be done but only when you assisted, the likelyhood of her continuing is poor.
I much prefer the hands over mom's if I have to touch at all. But I will not
let this mom go home without demonstrating she has latched the baby on her
own.  I would also prefer not to force the baby to breast if there is few
signs of readiness, rooting, wide open mouth, actively seeking the breast.
Instead I would work with mom to keep up her milk supply, alternative fdg
methods,skin-to-skin, and offering breast at every fdg.
There may be many reasons, most of them usually temporary, of why a baby will
not go to breast, or open their mouth wide enough. We need to demonstrate
patience.
I have many issues with pulling at a baby's chin to force their mouth open.
One, babies need to root so they know why they are going to the breast. Two,
manually forcing the mouth open can have the opposit effect you are looking
for - tightening, not loosening of the jaw and surrounding muscles.  Try this
on yourselves, pull on your chin and feel what the muscles on the face do.
I have learned from an oral/speech therapist on how to approach an infant's
mouth, and it with respect and time.
I am not looking to offend anyone, I have learned from my past and not all
approached were helpfull and now I sit on my hands.  There really is no need
to rush changes, be clam, be patient, time is really our friend, show moms all
the positive things that are happening with their babies and with little steps
they will achieve full breastfeeding, correctly and hopefully pain free.
Warm regards,
Ann Perry RN IBCLC

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