When doing some research on test weights, I found a letter to the editor that commented that we do not know if a swallow is 0.1ml or 1.0ml. I have noticed when doing finger feeding (where I control the volume) that many babies swallow with a very small bolus size. I see near-term babies like this readmitted to the hospital. The strength of their suck improves a lot when they are re-hydrated. thank heavens for good scales, Rachel Wahl RN IBCLC >Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2006 11:06:41 -0400 >From: mathew j goodman <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: reflexive swallowing? > >Hi There, >I do home visits for first time BF mom's. I see them within the first week >for one visit. Occasionally I come upon an infant 4 - 5 days old with >significant weight loss (10% or more), stools less than expected, jaundice, > and concerning feeding pattern. For these infants I do a pre and post >feed weight. Sometimes during the feed I will see/hear evidence that the >infant is swallowing frequently in bursts. Mom offers breast compression >and the swallowing picks up. " Wonderful " I think.,"Perhaps we have >turned the corner." Then the post weight will reflect a "whopping" 3cc or >10cc feed. Sometimes Mom's milk ?? "in" . Sometimes infants are 35ish >weeks. >I am led to believe that these infants swallowing reflex is triggered by >some milk (or saliva) but then they continue to swallow. Non >nutritive-swallowing? What do you all think? > >Valerie Goodman R.N., IBCLC >Charlottesville VA > >mathew j goodman >[log in to unmask] >EarthLink Revolves Around You. *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html