Heather is absolutely right about not pathologizing.  I am really talking
about babies I have carefully assessed and for whom I've ruled out (as best
I can and as best is possible) those social and iatrogenic reasons.  Perhaps
because my practice is so slanted toward complicated problems, I see a
prepondance of babies who are struggling because of underlying conditions.
I agree that we need to assess each infant as an individual. Respiratory
issues are critical, because babies will prioritize breathing over eating,
and we need to learn how to assess for babies for whom coordination of
sucking-swallowing-and breathing are difficult.  While we always want to
present bfg as robust and normal, the truth is there are many fragile babies
who deserve the protection offered by a good look-see.

 Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates, Austin, Texas
http://www.jump.net/~bwc/lactnews.html

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html