>>I've not found anything in our literature about "mucousy" babies, and yet
this is a common problem that interferes with breastfeeding in the new mums
and babies I see when asked to come in to our private clinic.  Here the
babies are not routinely suctioned at birth, but if the gagging/vomiting is
going on a bit, or the baby seems
to have trouble catching his breath then the Sisters will take the baby for a
stomach wash.<<

Alright, I just can't sit still any longer here. I'm no expert in the
childbirth field, but I am an avid "naturalist" who always feels compelled to
ask the question, "how did this work before technology came along?".  So I'm
wondering, is the mucousy babies issue something that has always been around,
or is there something in our birth practices that exacerbates this? In my
community, babies are routinely suctioned at birth and I must teach this in
my infant care class; however, every time I say it, I also tell parents how
fluid is pressed out during the birth process, and that babies have highly
developed sneeze and gag reflexes to take care of the rest; we just give them
"a little extra help".  Kathy Dettwyler, and any other of your experts out
there, can you comment on this?  I'd really like to know.

-Lisa Marasco, BA, LLLL, IBCLC