Dear Friends,

I was interested in the discussion between Debby Kearne & Judy Dunlap and I want
to say that you are both right.  There are still a few hospitals and a few
nurses in this area who refuse to take the time to teach positioning.  They put
the baby on the mother and say do it this way.  Mother goes home not knowing
what this way is.  I also believe that there are a lot of babies with an
uncoordinated suck , as Judy says because of our birthing practices.  There are
times when the mother comes into my office and the baby's suck has had time to
correct so there is not a suck problem anymore.  Now there is a latch problem or
a confused mother/baby.  I tell parents that I see babies acting like they have
just come down a water slide.  You have seen people look for where the edge is.
That is how I see some of these babies reacting.  Where is the edge?  You want
me to what?  These babies can change a lot in a few days.

Diane Herforth, BAE, IBCLC, ICCE
Tacoma WA