LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Dawn Martin <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 6 Nov 2001 18:48:29 -0600
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (41 lines)
Naomi,
> We just received the terrible news that friends of ours lost their 4
> month old baby last night. >

How sad for your friend.  What a difficult situation for this mom and dad.
I can't imagine losing a child, but I imagine grieving the loss of one twin
must be a confusing and complicated process.  I would think being able to
nurse the remaining twin would be comforting and healing, although
heartbreaking too.  I'm not a clinician, but I have suggestions anyway.

> Any thoughts on how to help Mom with the engorgement she is sure to be
> experiencing?

Cabbage leaves (spine removed) worn inside her bra, changing every few
hours.  Foods like parsley, sage, black walnut (others I can't think of off
the top of my head).  Antihistimines, or birth control pills.  Limited
pumping or hand expression for comfort,  expressed milk could be given to
the surviving twin.

> Any chance of putting a four month old on the breast who hasn't nursed
since he was a couple
> of weeks old?

Any Chance -- YES!  I would guess this is very individual to the baby (as
well as the mom) and would also depend on why he wasn't bfing to begin with.
I have personal experience with a baby NEVER offered the breast until two
months of age -- she knew exactly what to do, now almost 10 months old she
loves nursing.  Some mothers find using a nipple shield for a brief period
(couple of weeks) a useful tool when a baby has a preferance for bottle
nipples.

HTH,
Dawn Martin
Austin, TX

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

ATOM RSS1 RSS2