I have missed most of the discussion about the 5 "S"s -don't know what they
all are(though I saw a few seconds of that Doc on TV while in a patient's
room,-wouldn't like someone shhh-ing in my ear!) but thought I would share
my experiences with using swaddling during feedings for anyone interested.

As a rule I like to get blankets out of the way and get babies close and
skin to skin when I help moms put babies to breast. I reassure moms that it
is okay for baby to get their hands-their best friends in utero-up by the
breast. (I once saw a mom at a LLL mtg whose baby managed to be latched and
suckling with a finger in their mouth at the same time!) However, in some
instances the swaddling helps tremendously to solve problems.  It is
something I learned awhile ago: that when baby's arms are brought midline
across their chest, they are better able to organize neurologically and
settle.  I have no idea of the physiological reason that this works, or what
evidence it is based upon: I just don't remember the talk or the conference
where I first heard it.

My experience is that some babies can settle and latch better if they are
given this "help" of being a bit contained.  I wrap them with one arm across
chest, drawing the blanket snug over arm and chest and around the side and
tucking, then repeat with the other arm, and then bring up the bottom of the
blanket-but not snug, so they can stretch legs out, and there is no pressure
on their hip joints.  The nurses I work with dubbed this the baby burrito
wrap.  I am sure many of you use it as well.

A few days ago, I helped a mom with a baby who would not settle and
latch-frantically rooting and crying for almost every feeding from birth,
rarely reponded to the feel of the breast as a trigger to start suckling.
Mom was totally overwhelmed. Since swaddling, mom is able to keep the baby
calm; no more frantic rooting, and baby latches beautifully and immediately
starts suckling. --And mom did not give up: she was tearful and exhausted
and feeling rather hopeless and I think on the verge of throwing in the
towel. (I also encouraged the mom to spend a lot of skin to skin time with
the baby when not feeding). I have found this to be an effective and usually
a temporary measure that works for the frantic type baby that I occasionally
encounter. It is a nice low tech tool, in my opinion. Once the baby figures
things out, they no longer need to be swaddled for a feeding.

Diana Roberts, RN, IBCLC
hospital based LC in SC
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