Pat writes;
>>When I am examining babies for regular health check ups,
talking to them and getting them to engage with me is a regular part of my
exam.  I love it when mom says something and they immediately quit looking
at me and seek her! The point is, as LCs we should be noting how baby
engages with mom and others, just another clue to add to our total picture
of a baby/mom couplet.<<
Well said Pat!
This is a big part of my mother/baby exam as a visiting nurse as well.
Because parents are so afraid of their baby becoming cold, they have often
not taken the oppurtuntity to examine their baby naked (other than screaming
on the changing table) and I often feel as if I am introducing parents to
their baby for the first time! The strip down exam awakens the baby enough to
nurse which then allows for the second awakening; the power of skin to skin
contact! Because babies are so often spitty at the time of my visit (milk
becoming much more abundant!), I encourage them to end the feeding chest to
chest, semi reclined as this "allows for the best digestion" ;) !! It amazes
me how reluctant some parents are to embrace the idea that this type of
behavior is healthy for them and baby but once given a "medical" reason, they
are much happier to comply!!???
Lynn Shea Rn,Bsn,Ibclc
Franklin,Massachusetts

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html