i am assuming the posts on clicking stemmed from my original post re: gassy
baby with odd tongue movements.    While i couldn't agree more that
clicking isn't *always* a problem, if mom isn't sore and baby is gaining -
and as a matter of fact, my first child clicked at first, and it was
probably due to some oversupply, and some not-ideal positioning, but i
wasn't sore and she gained fine, so i didn't worry about it at all - in
this particular mom's case you may remember that her main concern, without
knowing anything about the potential future racmifications of potential
anatomical/neurological issues is that baby is so gassy she can't nurse
lying down, and has to burp a ton at night.  This is mainly what she would
like remedied.  she says he doesn't even really require nursing at night,
and she is considering not nursing at night, and nursing more during the
day to make up for it.  I tend to agree that oversupply  might be an issue,
although the breast reduction sure distracts me with "zebras!"  But i *am
concerned about this baby's oral anatomy and seemingly low tone.    i just
don't want to sound alarms if everything will turn out ok without
intervention - but i also don't want to *not* react appropriately if some
intervention is required!  It certainly is hard to know what to do when
baby is gaining well and mom is comfortable! It is a fine balancing act,
not to overreact to the less-than-textbook cases while still acting to
remedy any concerns that might have longer-lasting repercussions.  I really
appreciate all the wisdom on this list.  I intend to print all the posts
out so i can read them all together, and try to achieve a better
"big-picture" of what might be going on.  The mom is also very open to
cranial sacral work, and there are lots of options in our community; lots
of skilled practitioners.  I will also pursue getting a referral to a
breastfeeding-knowledgeable OT or PT in case the mom chooses that
option.  I also intend to try to pull in a local, experienced IBCLC so a
second set of eyes can assess this baby and confirm or dispute my
concerns.  If anyone has any other thoughts I would welcome them, and I
will share the outcome, if there is anything to share.  Thanks again!
thoughts below on the transition to professionalism:
The thread on transitioning from volunteer work to professional work in
this field is particularly meaningful to me right now, and with this
mom.  I am a LLLL who is sitting the IBCLC exam this July.  Because I have
been apprenticing with an IBCLC and pursuing extra educational
opportunities in the form of professional conferences, ILCA membership,
etc., many moms who come to me for beyond-the-scope of LLL leader
responsibility issues, do get some information, assistance and support for
those issues, when some other Leaders might refer directly to an IBCLC -
which they absolutely should do if it is beyond their comfort level.  I am
comfortable taking it just so far, and stretching myself to try to meet
their needs, but am keenly aware of when a problem is outside the bounds of
Leader Liability Insurance protection, for one, and also outside my scope
of expertise and skill.  This mom knows me as a Leader, but also knows my
background and goals, and so I am really straddling the fence with her.  In
a way i am offering to work with her for free, as an educational experience
for myself.  I think perhaps if we make it clear that we are not acting as
Leaders, but as friends and advisors, for lack of a better term, that that
is one way to facilitate the transition to the professional role.  At some
point, the experience "barrier" needs to be breached, and "leaping" from a
volunteer role to a paid professional one perhaps isn't always in the best
interests of the moms we are helping.  I feel it is very educational for me
to be able to act as an LC, but with the mom clearly understanding that i
am a student LC - not an IBCLC and not a LLLL volunteer, in my relationship
with her, and that she can, at any time, choose to consult with an IBCLC
for a more experienced and qualified opinion, and that, in fact I would
welcome that!  I realize that I alone know my qualifications and my
self-understanding in terms of my limitations, so it is probably easy to be
concerned that a "student" LC might think they know more than they do, and
might not refer appropriately.  I would hope that the opposite tendency
would be true - that anyone working toward the IBCLC would be more
concerned with the mom and baby than with his/her own ego, and would refer
the moment the situation felt out-of-their-league.  I hope i'm making sense
- and i'd love to hear thoughts on this view of the transition.

Lyla

             ***********************************************
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