OK - I've heard it all! Mom came to the WIC office to get a pump - she is exclusively breastfeeding her 4 day old baby, had unmedicated delivery and has every intention of breastfeeding over a year. BUT her baby developed an impressive rash all around the mouth - more in the chin, but in the upper lip, too and totally around the mouth (it's impressive, pink with skin sloughing off). Not visible on the cheeks, nose, etc. Doctor told her that her milk is causing it - that she had seen this once before - that because she leaks and the baby is rubbing against her nipple, the milk is causing this skin damage So her solution was to get a pump and feed the baby breast milk (or formula) by bottle so the milk would go straight into the mouth and not touch the skin. The mom was VERY upset and reported she had still breastfed after this instruction, but she was taught football hold (has large, pendulous large breasts). It was hard for her, difficult for her to "get the baby on right" and painful at times. I offered to help her with positioning (after biting my tongue and avoiding the emotional and un-helpful "IS YOUR DOCTOR CRAZY - BREAST MILK IS APPLIED TO EYES AND BURNS!" thoughts I had). Baby latched on very well using laid back breastfeeding - and a small roll of blanket under the first breast - the second breast, the baby put his arm under the breast and latched on painlessly. I did give her the pump for the weekend, but we also went through all the other things to do to try to identify a dermatologic/contact cause for the rash. Nothing jumped out until she brought out the baby's gloves (she was already in the WIC office when I was brought in for consult). I bet anything the thread in that glove was the irritant! We'll see - grandma was there and very supportive about avoiding the whole pumping and bottle feeding routine. More on Monday, I hope! I can't decide which is my next campaign - get those babies out of car seats when they are not in the car - or get the gloves off those babies - they need to learn to touch and feel! Jeanette Panchula, BA-SW, RN, PHN, IBCLC California, USA (temporarily helping out a WIC Peer Counselor program) *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome