I often find it frustrating when nurses and doctors in the hospital give moms
a time limit to breastfeedings.  My rounds in the hospital are geared towards
teaching assessment of nutrative suckles.  I tell the moms to spend a good 45
minutes with each feeding for the first two weeks.  They are instructed to
count and observe suckle-bursts.  Bursts of  Ten or more long rhythmic draws
before a pause indicate eating and swallows should be heard.  When a baby
elicits shorter bursts and needs frequent stimulation then it may be time to
switch to other side after trying to wake them up.  They are encouraged to
return to the first breast ....maybe even the second once again before ending
the feeding.   If their baby is just "hang-ing out" they are not necessarily
eating.  I observe a feeding and introduce to them what long rhythmic draws
should look and feel like.  It is amazing how surprised many moms are.  "He's
never done this before!"  They are also encouraged to keep a journal of I/O
for baby daily for for two weeks.   Many moms go home more aware of what is
really happening with feedings...and can better identify problems.   Ten to
Twenty minutes on each side does not indicated a good feeding.
I have tried countless times to educated the hospital staff....how do you
teach old dogs new tricks?
Sharon Lemon, RN, CLE
Chicago Suburbs