Chris said,

<< .  If
 one looks at Klaus and Klaus's research on the washing of the amniotic fluid
 off the hands impairing bf, how can one not see this as a bf issue?  When
 baths take place away from the mother, the issue is further confounded by
 the separation of m-b dyad (yes this does still happen).  Last, we've spoken
 about how bathing reduces babies' instincts but I hypothesize that the
 bathing decreases the mother's olfactory response to baby and perhaps
 impairs bonding.  >>

And last week Diane commented on the use of mittens on the baby and some
babies not being able to latch on well....I wonder if the same process is
going on here.  Not only do we bathe the baby, but then we put long sleeve
shirts on with mittens so she doesn't scratch herself, and bundle her in a
blanket.  The mother showers, uses deodorant and becomes a totally different
person than she was in the birthing room.  I wonder how much that plays into
our difficulties in getting babies to the breast AFTER they've nursed in L&D?


In our hospital, they do a palm print of the baby for ID purposes, so of
COURSE the hand is scrubbed clean of the black ink.  Most times, though not
always, this is done before the baby is put to breast in L&D.  (You know,
eye-dropped, bundled, hatted, palm-printed, examined, blah blah -- must get
those things done before mom can breastfeed...)

No studies -- just some musings to tag along with Chris & Diane.

Jan B in Wheaton

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