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Date: | Sat, 20 May 1995 23:08:24 -0400 |
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I tell my clients that nipple confusion results when a baby learns
(because they have to) to have tight oral musculature in order to secure a
seal around an ordinary, formula company supplied hospital-type nipple.
The same thing, only much worse, occurs when a mother is told to
supplement her baby with an eye-dropper but not told that this should
occur while baby is at breast. I have a wonderful slide which I use in my
lectures of a 19 day old with a "whistle" mouth anticipating an eyedropper
supplement from his Mom less than 24 hours after Mom was told by phone
(lay counsellor) to supplement with eyedropper.
It took us quite some time to get this baby gaping naturally again so he
was able to properly latch on breast.
I actually use a Medela orthodontic nipple (similar to a size 2 or 4 - 18
month size NUK but firmer rubber and a shade smaller) to train babies
who've been nipple confused back to gaping. It is very important to
demonstatrate proper use to parents, ie. baby must take WHOLE nipple in
mouth and have lips flanged up and over bulb of nipple. They use a
milking, regular jaw motion rather than sucking. They then go back to breast
with no problem at all. Even a 4lb. baby is able to use this nipple, and
learn how to gape again.
--
******Joan M. Fisher, RN, BN, MEd, IBCLC******
***********Ottawa, Ontario, Canada************
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