Hi, Ruth:  I've been using techniques similar to Tina Smilie's for the past 
25 years and they work!  Why do they work?  Because breastfeeding is a 
hormone driven process that was designed by Mother Naure, just like sex and 
childbirth (when was the last time you heard someone complain or resist 
taking their clothes off in preparation for sexual intercourse?!).  When a 
mom and baby are skin-to-skin, hormone levels in both mom and the baby 
skyrocket immediately on contact.  Probably the most important hormone in 
this process is oxytocin, which helps get mom's milk flowing and which 
helps the baby's brain organize the steps to breastfeeding.  Even if the 
baby is laying on mom's chest sleeping, his brain is busy building new 
synapses and hardwiring itself for breastfeeding.  Smell is also extremely 
important in the breastfeeding process - both mom and baby need to be able 
to smell each other.  Studies have been done which show that permanent 
brain wave patterns take place in both the mom and baby's brains.  There is 
lots of fascinating reading available on the "science" of 
love/bonding/breastfeeding.  Looking at this within the perspective of the 
hormonal chemistry of breastfeeding process makes total sense.

Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL   USA

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