Dear Lactnetters,

I can understand the concern re advising the parents of a normal, happy
newborn to use Dr. Karp's advice many hours per day. However, I can't
imagine that the parents of a normal, happy newborn would put as much energy 
needed
into using the "techniques" for more than a few minutes at a time.

The HBOB techniques are very energy consuming to perform. I didn't find them
particularly natural, especially the loud "shushing". After
the peaceful, uncomplicated home birth of my second child at 36
weeks gestation, he slept through those first few weeks with a full belly of
breast milk and unlimited skin-to-skin. We didn't even own a bucket car 
seat. I used a sling, co-slept, and kept him close to the
breast at all times. After the sleepiness of the first couple of preemie 
weeks wore
off, he became the most unhappy baby I'd ever seen. He could not settle,
ever. Breastfeeding was difficult, calming him was difficult, even holding
him was difficult. After ruling out medical causes, I used Dr. Karp's
advice......for hours. It was backbreaking, armbreaking, and mouth fatiguing
work (try shushing for more than a few minutes and you'll know what I mean).
Swaddling was a necessity for most of the day (and night) during his first 
few months. I used a baby swing (I know, *horrors*) when my arms gave out. I 
used a noise machine when my lips gave out. But it worked!
He would not tolerate any other person holding him. He frowned through his
baby portraits and wailed if his grandma tried to hug him. CST worked
miracles when he was 6 weeks, but he still needed alot of help.

He is now 3 years old, breastfeeding happily, and is a charming, friendly 
boy.

I think the fuss over the supposed dangers or "detachment" from using the 5 
S's would be energy better spent toward a real threat to babies and 
moms......but we're all affected the greatest by our own experiences, aren't 
we? :-)

Respectfully,
Karen Wilson, RN, IBCLC
Thornton, CO


> From:    Nikki Lee <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: questions about HBOB and breastfeeding
>
> Dear Friends:
>    I am presently reading Dr. Karp's book, Happiest Baby on the Block.
>    My understanding of my professional role is that I work to promote the
> breastfeeding relationship. I help mothers to identify infant feeding
> cues, find
> comfortable positions for breastfeeding, and develop various strategies to
> engage with their babies. I am confused by what is said in this book.
>    I wonder how a baby swaddled 12-20 hours a day from birth to 4 months
> (pp.120-121) can participate in relationship; although "after 1-2 months,
> you can
> reduce the wrap time according to how calm she is without it."  Dr. Karp
> mentions that some babies need to be swaddled more than 20 hours a day!
> He
> compares swaddling to time in the uterus. Does he forget that a baby in
> the uterus
> can still move? Every mother remembering those sore spots from repeated
> kicking
> andd the flutters of the sweet wee hands can attest to baby's activity
> inside, despite the tight quarters at the end of pregnancy.
>    The uterus is a flexible swaddle, not a rigid one.
>    I am also dismayed at the material showing the difference between a 4
> day
> old baby (basically not much going on) and a 4 month one (p.82). After
> watching and listening to Marshall Klaus describing "The Amazing Talents
> of the
> Newborn" in a video of the same name, where babies under 2 weeks old are
> shown
> copying maternal facial expressions, and reaching out and touching their
> mothers,
> and engaging in play with their grandfathers, how can anyone doubt the
> ability of the newborn to participate in relationship? Even a newborn can
> reach out
> and try to grab the nipple and put it in her mouth ("Baby's Choice" video
> by
> Ann-Marie Widstrom).
>    How can breastfeeding work if a baby is swaddled 12-24 hours a day? How
> can healthy relationship be built if a baby is restrained?
>    warmly,
>
> Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI
>
> www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com
>

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