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Subject:
From:
Kathy Dettwyler <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 15 Jun 2000 12:06:09 -0500
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>Re: SUCKING.....Freud's fixation argument OR 1-2 year impulse argument...OR
>>survival argument....OR habit argument....it occurs.

Don't forget -- evolutionary research suggests that the normal duration of
human breastfeeding should be about 6-7 years.  One would suspect that the
"sucking need" should last the same amount of time.

>>Re: SUCKING OUTCOMES & HYPOXIA....it is most important to know that IF early
>>sucking is a respiratory survival technique, it GENERALLY works against
>>survival as time goes on as it creates a smaller airway which can be measured
>>after year 2 or 3...

But does this "smaller airway" occur only in pacifier suckers or
thumb/finger suckers?  What about children who breastfeed for 3-9 years?  Do
they have smaller airways than bottle-feeders?  If so, then the smaller
airway must be considered the normal/natural/ appropriate size.

>thus it is then important to determine time of need to
>>cut-off...i.e. to remove the "blankie" or other known factors which increases
>>dramatically the chance to stop the SUCKING & AIRWAY CONSTRICTION.

Children should be allowed to suck on *something* -- mother, pacifier,
finger/thumb, until they are ready to give it up.  For most children this
will be between 3-5-8 years of age.  If currently-designed pacifiers create
airway problems for children, then they need to be designed, not just
"disallowed" once a child turns a certain age.  You can deny the comfort of
sucking to the child, but you can't change the innate need/urge to suck.

Also, I would be interested to know what percentage of orthodontia can be
clearly linked to bottle/pacifier/thumb sucking, and what percentage is
caused by other factors.  I nursed til 18 months, sucked my thumb until 8,
and have beautifully straight teeth.  My daughter nursed til 4 years, never
sucked her thumb, only occasional pacifier use, and she had to have full
orthodontia.  As with so many other issues, I suspect breastfeeding for
several years prevents some kids from needing orthodontia, who otherwise
would have needed it, but not all.  And some breastfed kids still need
braces, for reasons unrelated to how they were fed.

Kathy Dettwyler

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