This is just a testimonial about the technique described by Jean Cotterman
for quickly reducing nipple/areolar/breast edema so that milk can flow
freely out of the breast.  I got hooked on this technique after reading
Jean's description of it, and now include it as one of a very few ESSENTIAL
skills for new mothers in every group teaching session I do on the post
partum ward, and frequently in individual consultations.

Even though we ought to know that engorgement with ensuing latch
difficulties is NOT a good indication for the use of nipple shields, that is
one of the commonest reasons mothers are given shields, usually by staff who
are spread too thin on the post partum ward, and who don't know enough to
see why it isn't the best approach.
RPS virtually eliminates the need for shield use.  It gets the babies
feeding, it empowers the mothers because they do it themselves, it takes a
few seconds to learn, one minute to apply, requires no equipment and best of
all it even FEELS GOOD.

I presented it in talks here all last year at in-services at a dozen
hospitals and at a course for improving competencies in BF support, for
health personnel late in the fall.  In March I was thrilled to get Jean's
permission to publish the rationale and instructions for the technique in
the midwives' journal and the BF mothers' organization newsletter.  The
Swedish BF organization saw it and plan to put it in their newsletter as
well.  Last week I attended a course on BF where 4 of the 6 lecturers of the
day referred to the technique as an essential skill for staff to teach
mothers.  These lecturers are my IBCLC colleagues and they have all
witnessed the effects of RPS.  It is like magic.  If you haven't tried it
yet, do so the very next time you see a case of rock-hard breasts on the 2nd
or 3rd day post partum and you could become an instant convert.

This is just one of the many things for which I am grateful, on Lactnet...
that we can share these tricks of the trade so they can disseminate rapidly
to the benefit of mothers and babies wherever Lactnet reaches.  And, I am
grateful for all the amazing people I have gotten to know, despite the
distances between us.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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