One of the biggest issues I have with many pediatricians is their lack
of sensitivity in dealing with birth trauma.  If it doesn't show up on a
blood test or x-ray, it doesn't exist in their opinion.  How many babies
have been given medications for "colic" or "gas" - the usually incorrect
diagnosis?!

Most babies born in Israel experience some degree of physical stress as
a result of high tech births.  But the babies who have the worst time
are the ones who have gone through the "BIG 3" as I call them - vacuum,
forceps and deep suctioning.  It takes days and even weeks for these
babies to calm down.  They either shut down, sleeping endlessly or
scream their heads off.  You can just take one look at the baby's body
language to understand the pain and frustration.  Think how you would
feel if you suffered whiplash from an accident or injury and some well
meaning nurse forced your head forward to eat or drink.

The first thing I do is take the pressure off the mother and the baby.
No sharp or sudden movement.  Not a lot of noise or bright lights.  And
most of all, NO shoving the baby's head towards the breast.  A good,
solid nursing pillow is very helpful in supporting the baby without
putting too much pressure on the head, neck and spine.  Allow the baby
to take the breast on his own terms.  Avoid "fighting" at the breast as
much as possible.  Keep the mother's milk supply up by pumping and feed
the baby
by whatever means keeps him happy - cup, syringe or even bottle if all
else fails.  If I feel a baby isn't improving by 2 or 3 weeks after
birth, I usually advise the mother to take the baby to qualified DO
(osteopathy), chiropractor who works with infants or ND who can use
natural methods to heal the trauma.

A baby who doesn't feed well and cries or screams all day is very, very
difficult for the parents to cope with.  Besides a listening ear, we
need to give them constructive help.

Susan Nachman-Srebrnik, IBCLC
Ranana, Israel - still looking for the blossoms on the banana tree.
Maybe the hail killed them off?

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