In a message dated 2/6/04 11:59:09 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
My only problem with this kind of research that "proves" that LBW babies
"can't" bf fully until 6-8 weeks of age is the way breastfeeding is
managed.

Well, unless we heard the actual presentation or read the research report, I
kind of doubt the researcher said the study "proved" that all LBW infants are
not able to breastfeed without intervention. My guess is that her research
supported (vs. proved) what many of us have seen based on feeding outcomes -- a
significant number of these little ones have difficulty effectively
breastfeeding for the first several weeks postpartum, which may be for a variety of
reasons.  Personally, I'd be thrilled to have this kind of supportive data that
shows how both intervention, but especially the human/LC follow-up, impacted
duration outcomes.

I totally agree that the idea is to watch the BF and related outcomes first
and intervene if necessary. Like you, I've seen some LBW do well but I've also
seen many that do not. And it seems BF is more likely to go down the tubes if
those having what may be a common difficulty aren't picked up early and
intervention initiated sooner than later. I also find intervention, if properly
explained and is done with transition away from intervention based on outcomes,
tends to reassure mothers and have a positive effect on long-term BF -- but that
is anecdotal for the MOT/MOM I work with.

KKG

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