Star, the situation described of the baby who will _only_ nurse lying 
down has been intriguing me for days.  How could that happen?  It 
must be because the baby has been "programmed" to expect only nursing 
lying down - ie the mother has found it comfortable and relaxing and 
generally pleasant in the early weeks, perhaps?  And then, as her 
baby gets older and she begins to want to go out and about a bit 
more, then suddenly she realizes too late that her baby has become so 
used to that position that s/he refuses any other.

I think we've all seen how babies can become attached to things - 
blankies, dummies, bottles .... and we as LCs consistently "push" 
nursing lying down because there are so many advantages to the mother 
(as above).  But I guess, good anticipatory care might now include a 
suggestion that - once nursing/latching etc is easy and comfortable - 
then varying the nursing position, and the location, so that the baby 
gets used to nursing in any old way and in any old place might be a good idea?

As to how the mother could unbreak this preference/habit/strike now - 
could you perhaps give her suggestions for how she would manage a 
nursing strike?  Eg, keep the baby very happy and well fed (lots of 
holding/cuddling/playing/wearing/24 hour a day body contact if 
possible) and of course nursing lying down if that's what's needed, 
but in between the normal sort of eating/feeding times, perhaps the 
mother could try "playing" at nursing the baby in other 
positions.  I'd suggest trying when they are alone, in a quiet 
darkened room, in the bath, _sitting_ on the bed etc and with lots of 
fun and giggles in between. As with any strike, the baby needs to be 
rewarded with huge smiles for even the slightest attempt at a latch 
or suck in another position.  On no account should the mother show 
the baby how frustrated she is, and yes, she should always "give in" 
and pretend she didn't mean it if the baby becomes upset.  But with 
other more conventional nursing strikes I've only ever once known a 
baby to refuse this kind of sustained and loving and fun seduction 
(very disciplinarian father, prohibitions against sleeping with baby 
and so-called spoiling).

It might be worth a try?

You've had a lot of other good suggestions too.  Please let us know what works.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC
Rustington, England  

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