Rachel wrote:
<< I'm considering starting to call bottles and shields 'feeding prostheses',
just to convey what I mean about how grossly abnormal they are. When a baby
is so affected that prosthetic devices are necessary to perform basic life
functions, it is serious indeed. Patients discharged from hospitals using
crutches or walkers or splints are followed up, are they not? >>
Rachel, and all,
They are abnormal, I agree. In the field of physical therapy/physiotherapy
and prosthetics/orthotics, the tools you mention are called ( crutches,
walkers, etc.) "assistive devices". Prosthetic devices differ in that they are
permanent replacments for something missing. A bottle used by a mother with no
breasts would be a "feeding prosthesis." I have come to use the terms "feeding
tools", "feeding assist devices/tools" for things like bottles, shields,
alternative feeding devices etc, for just the reason you cite. Normal feeding is at the
breast, these tools are temporary assists until normal feeding is
well-established. As with any therapy goal, the end goal is normal function. In this case
we are talking about normal feeding/breastfeeding. As in some therapy
scenarios, some nursing dyads will continue to need assistance for weeks, months, or
even the duration of infant feeding.
When we educate moms about "feeding assistive tools" such as bottles,
shields, we can reaffirm the goal of normal feeding at breast, and reinforce the
hopefully temporary use of the other tools.
Judy LeVan Fram, PT,( married to a certified prosthetist :)) IBCLC,
Brooklyn, USA
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