Rob wrote,

> Recently I had a mom tell me some of her breastfeeding freinds
> had their babies immunizations given while actively feeding.
> These moms seemed to think the baby experienced less pain
> this way. I said it was OK at the time but my nurse wasnt
> comfortable doing it.
> This baby comes to see me tomorrow so Im thinking of doing
> the shots myself while mom feeds her.
> Any thoughts?
> I guess my concern is the baby getting a pain stimulus and
> biting mom.
>


IMO let the mum feed her baby.  It is her nipple after all.  It
should be up to her to decide if she wants to risk being biten. This
is probably a baby without teeth anyway, isn't it?  It is unlikely a
baby would bite down while actively nursing.     Baby is more likely
to let go of the nipple and cry and then quickly latch back on for
comfort. If the baby is calmer before, and possibly during, the
immunization and mum feels that she is better able to comfort the
baby, then why not? I think it is a wonderful way to ease the trauma
for baby.   There is no medical or other reason not to nurse during
an immunization.  But you knew that already didn't you.

--
Janet Vandenberg, RN, BScN,
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada