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Subject:
From:
"Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 1 Jul 2001 17:40:47 -0400
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It is important to distinguish why this baby is coming off the breast so
often.  Some possibilities:

-Baby could be getting more efficient, and mom still expects him to stay
on the breast a long time and keeps reattaching him.  He takes another
few sucks (because sucking is still reflexive at his age) and lets go
because he is full.

-Mom has an oversupply, and the baby is getting full on low fat milk,
but wants more calories.  The solution is to nurse longer on one breast
if this is the case.

-Baby has a tongue tie or a very recessed jaw, and can't maintain
attachment.  This is not ruled out by the baby bf well for the first 2
months, as flexor tone decreases at about 6 weeks postpartum as extensor
tone increases.  Flexor tone is an aid to breastfeeding, and if the baby
has some difficulty with his mouth, he may falter when this early
assistance declines with maturation. More supportive positioning and an
asymmetrical latch are helpful if this is the case.

-Milk does change in appearance as lactation advances.  If the baby
continues to gain weight, there is no problem.

If you have an accurate enough scale, I would recommend weighing the
baby pre and post feeding, to see if he is feeding efficiently.  A 2 mo
old baby usually takes between 1.5 and 4 oz at breast in the first 10
minutes of the feed.  My scale is of great assistance in figuring out
which of the above are going on in a case like this.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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