Dear Friends:

I heard a chilling story today, and it relates to the discussion of cultural
practices and gadgets. I've previously written about the risks with laying
the baby down prone (increased risk of SIDS), and of the risks laying the
baby down supine (positional plagiocephaly, reflux, and delayed motor
milestone acquisition).

Today I was staffing a health department table  at a Health Fair in the
Reading Terminal Market, a wonderful and fascinating place full of every
sort of food (fresh made), little boutiques and kiosks full of things I want
and can't afford to purchase,  and places to sit. It is a big tourist
attraction and there was lots of traffic and discussion and interaction with
the public.

Many people would walk past my table (full of breastfeeding materials:
promotional handouts in 10 languages, plus wallet cards advertising
Philadelphia's ordinance protecting breastfeeding outside the home and the
like. People past childbearing age would glance at my stuff, then keep
walking. I snared them all...asking "how are you a resource to women in your
community?" or "Would you think about saying 'good for you' if you saw a
mother breastfeeding?"  A man told a story about a 9 month old baby that he
and his wife watch while the mother is working.

The doctor told the mother that this baby isn't growing and needs to spend
time out of the car seat. Apparently this baby is spending so much time in
the car seat (sleeping there all night, and in it during the day for the
convenience of caregivers) that she isn't growing. This couple put the baby
on the floor, on her back, where she screamed and cried for hours until she
passed out, asleep. The couple left her there  despite the screaming because
"the doctor said".  When the mother came to get her baby, she liked the
idea, and has been putting her baby to sleep on the floor!

This story has me reeling in amazement, shock and sadness.

What do you all think?

warmly,





Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI
craniosacral therapy practitioner
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com

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