Dear All,

This is in response to recent threads on pacifier use, complementary feeds w/artificial nipple, and the subsequent difficulties that often ensue in breastfeeding skill acquisition.  I apologize for the length of my post, which is divided into separate posts in order to get this much to you on the topic.    

The primitive survival reflexes do not serve to guarantee latch and effective suckling in all babies all the time.  Many lactation clinicians are fond of citing the “hard-wired” nature of these reflexes, in spite of the time spent by clinicians in also citing the frequently observed breastfeeding skill decay following use of an artificial nipple.  The primitive survival reflexes are better viewed as training wheels on the bicycle, hastening the learning process for the newborn’s survival.  Falling off the bicycle is a normal part of learning how to stay on the bike, as we practice, practice, practice - - ideally using the same bicycle.  The learner would not choose to switch back and forth from one similar yet different bicycle toward any form of efficient learning, because we humans (of any age) display difficulty switching back and forth between similar yet different tasks.  

(This thread continued in next post)

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