Karyn-grace's post on family pets as a factor in breastfeeding problems is 
important and timely. The issues you have raised, Karyn-grace, are not 
something we usually think of and may be more widespread than realised. I 
can see how the distraction because of the dogs' negative behaviours, and 
the priority given to coping with animal misbehaviour, was impinging on 
adequate breastfeeding in the example given. That's before even thinking of 
hygiene and safety issues (as apparently no dog ican be guaranteed to be 
100% safe round a baby or small child, unsupervised). I wonder where their 
baby comes in the househodl hierarchy?
It looks as if our repertoire of breastfeeding support techniques could even 
extend to suggestions about boarding the dogs in kennels for a few days 
while concentrating on the baby and boosting the supply. Then, of course, 
the dogs would eventually come home. Obviously these people have dogs they 
can't really manage, but they would most likely resent comments about 
finding new homs for the dogs or finding a dog behavior class. Other issues 
might be if the dogs belonged to the partner and the mother was stuck with 
them in the daytime and feeling resentful. This sort of scenario could be 
complicated in some cases.
As regards Polly Parrot, she was curious and interested in everything and a 
great mimic. Modern biological research is showing that "bird brain" isn't 
an insult as some species are pretty bright. She seemed aware that the baby 
had supplanted her, perhaps from changes in my behaviour.
Virginia

Dr Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA
Private Practice Lactation Consultant
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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