Liz Benbrook writes:

> some infants, as previously discussed, do have high sucking needs.  I
>find them especially helpful in cases where the baby has nursed well (audible
>swallowing, relaxed baby, satiated "milk drunk" pull off etc), is asleep in
>moms arms, and as soon as she puts the baby down, or maybe the baby wakes up
>10 minutes later, rooting and wanting to suck.

Sorry, I don;t understand. Why not offer the breast again?  This is normal
behaviour, isn't it?  The baby could well have nursed well etc etc, but
want to do so again, for hunger, thirst, comfort, whatever. Is it not
better to explain to the mother how to recognise and embrace normal,
healthy behaviour, and to empower her to respond in a way that will enhance
her bf and her relationship with the baby?
>

>Especially in situations where you only get one encounter with mom (i.e.
>home health, or bedside nursing) sometimes I feel that it serves us and them
>to work with what we have, teach the things that clients/patients will be
>most likely to use and or remember.

Of course that's true - you grab what chance you can, and yes, you work
with what you have, and remain client-centred. But if you are only getting
this one chance to talk to and support a mother, isn't it even more
important to give solid evidence-based information? You won't get a chance
to follow through and correct any difficulties caused by the pacifier.


We know from studies that early use of the pacifier is associated with poor
breastfeeding - clearly not in every individual case, but we can't know in
advance which are going to be the individual babies who suck well despite
the use of the pacifier.  And if we are only seeing mothers once, isn't it
(sorry) *risky* to recommend it?

We observe that for many mothers, it is used as a 'plug' instead of
offering the baby comfort or food or interaction - that is more difficult
to quantify and measure, of course. But I certainly see it used in that way
here.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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