Winnie says,
<< I humbly disagree with the comment that referring to short nursings
 as "snacksa' is inappropriate.  As with so many things, it's the
 context as much if not more than the actual words that makes the
 impact. >>

While I completely agree with you, Winnie, there is a major problem in the
U.S. (and maybe other parts of the world...).  That is, that "snacking" (by a
baby at the breast) has gotten terribly negative press.  It's considered up
there with one of the 7 deadly sins by Ezzo....said with disdain by nurses
("oh, he's just SNACKING") -- right up there with "He's using you as a
pacifier."  There is this mindset that the baby, from minute one, should be
eating a "full meal" (whatever that is) every 3 hours (pick your timing), and
never any less frequently, or for less minutes than X number on each side.
Never mind that the mother and father "snack", that toddlers have "snacks"
during the day, that adults have a coffee break and coffee at their desks --
you see, "snacking" is considered to be manipulative.

Let me quote from Baby(un)wise:

"With qualitative feeding, you eliminate the need for continual snacking.
Many feedings become exactly that.  Baby feels like a little something to
tide her over.  No meal is desired.  Such snack feeding provides baby only a
partial meal consisting of the lower-calorie foremilk and not the
higher-calorie hindmilk essential for growth.  [Note from Jan -- on a
subsequent page Ezzo notes that the "foremilk is diluted in limited in
nutritional value." - p. 69].  Mom thinks she's doing more for baby through
endless breast availability.  In actuality, she's delivering less than her
best.  Baby often quits suckling before optimum nourishment is
offered.....Too many snack feedings , with too little time inbetween, may
reduce proper stimulation.  Thus, baby gets only foremilk, much lower in
calories than the most desirable hindmilk....The urgency of baby's hunger
drive consistently will influence the sucking reflex.  This drive for food is
related to the time needed for milk digestion and absorption into baby's
system.  An infant fed on a basic 2 1/2 to 3 hour routine and whose digestive
metabolism is stable [my note -- what the heck does THAT mean????], will
demand more milk.  In turn, this stimulates greater milk production than the
infant demanding less milk more often.  Here then lies your key to efficient
milk production.  Work on getting full feedings."  (pp 67-68).

Is it any wonder that parents are terrified of "snacking????"

Jan -- in lovely Wheaton

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