Depending on the extent of the injury the baby is experiencing, the
shoulder, arm and/or hand might be weak, or lacking feeling, since this is 
what  the
nerve bundle, the brachial plexus does. Just off the top of my head is might
mean carefully observing what the baby can and cannot do and help the mom 
work
with that. For instance, most babies are often getting their hands in their
way,  whereas this baby's arm might be floppy, and need mom to actually
position it  for him. She may need to be aware of where it is, so that it is
comfortably  positioned by her or someone,  if he lacks motion capability, 
and if
sensation is involved, because he may not be able to feel it himself, and it
could get cold, or have compromised blood supply. He also may not be able to 
cue
as well with arm position or fisting, and she might have to rely on the 
other
 side. Usually the injury is one-sided. It might be good to ask if baby will
be  seen by a PT or OT and see if all can meet for a session to work with 
each
other  and give each other helpful hints on how to best help this mom and
baby.

**Hello Judy and others,

Good description! I recognized the whole trauma from the description. I had 
a mom in my group a couple of years ago with a baby girl with this problem 
(Erbse Parese). It took a long time before the doctors decided it was 
probably not gonna get okay again. The mom was very brave, had nursed her 
first after being in my group and was determined to breastfeed again. And 
she did! Just a few months ago, I met her in the supermarket and asked her 
how they were all doing. The girl was fine!! Mobility of the severed arm had 
improved spontaneously after a long, long time, when noone was expecting it 
anymore. It was not back to 100%, but close. Mom said she was so happy to 
have breastfed, because feeding caused her to constantly play with her 
daughter's arm, which did a lot for the little one regaining strength.
So, by any means, Regina: help the mom to keep her baby at breast and 
empower her! Even after a long time, things can still change for the better. 
Good support for the baby is important and good support for the mom as well, 
each in its own form. ;o)

Warmly,

Marianne Vanderveen IBCLC ;o), Netherlands 

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