Hi All,
I am currently working with an 8 wk old. Un-medicated vaginal birth - no
issues other than extremely tight. I saw them when baby was less than a
week old. This baby had no visible neck to speak of. Her
sternocleidomastoid muscles were HARD. All jaw muscles were extremely tight
and hard. Back muscles were hard. This baby was one unhappy kid and could
not suckle at breast without causing her mommy extreme pain and trauma. I
did some Bowen work on her - it helped a bit. But not nearly enough. I
gave mom two referrals - one for Bowen with an experienced practitioner and
one to my neuromuscular therapist (who is the ONLY reason I have use of my
right arm.) Mom took baby to the Bowen guy twice - had some improvement but
not nearly enough. Mom took baby to see the neuromuscular therapist 2 weeks
ago. Tremendous improvement - baby could finally open her mouth, you can
see her neck, she came 'alive' - started 'talking' and smiling, relaxed and
began to root again. During this time (a 6 wk time period) mom struggled
with her milk supply but got that to 100% with the help of domperidone.
I saw them today. Baby looks great. Mom has been doing nearly 24/7 skin to
skin and lots of time at breast without forcing. Any time mom sits up and
attempts to latch baby to breast - baby screams - even if mom just places
her on her side in a nursing position, baby cries. Mom knows proper latch
techniques.
Today was about simply letting baby find her own way to the breast. She
wants to be there, roots and bobs. Today she did not latch - but she vented
all sorts of frustration and anger and emotional pain. It took her about 45
minutes of venting, dozing, venting, and dozing before she latched for just
a second while venting one last little bit - then realized she was an hour
past her feeding time and was very hungry. Tired of 'working' and got really
mad! The difference in the cry was unmistakable. :-) So, we fed the baby
and were done for the day.
What I found so interesting were two things: One - she wants to be there,
and is trying, but still has some anger to vent. Two - there is something
wrong with her shoulder/neck muscles. She does not use her arms to crawl or
pull herself around at all. Any movement is made with her legs and feet.
Mom noted this as well prior to my visit today. She reports that baby
hates tummy time always. I recommended an immediate visit with the Ped to
rule out any physical issues and another visit back with the neuromuscular
therapist as well.
I know this baby and mom can do this - but it will take them time. Mom
needed me there today to guide her through the process of learning what was
OK and what wasn't in regards to the crying/venting that baby as doing. She
needed to know it was OK to hold baby and talk to her, validate her feelings
and actually LET baby vent rather than keep calming the baby like everyone
else was telling her to do. And she needed to know that is was fine to let
baby find the breast on her own rather than continually try to put her on it
and push the issue. We discussed extensively the difference between the
venting and how that sounded and when I knew baby was done (mom did too but
didn't trust her instincts) by the change in the cry - the sound, the tone
and emotion behind it.
It was one hell of a learning experience for all of us. It was an honor for
me to be there with them and support both mom and baby through this time.
I'll report back when baby does latch - I know she can. I also know she
MUST do it on HER terms - she is just one of those kids who is going to have
to do things herself, you know?
Thanks for letting me share.I told mom that this was a great success. Baby
vented, mom learned and baby latched for just a second.
Take care,
Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM
Breastfeeding Network
Sacramento, CA
www.breastfeedingnetwork.net
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