Cathy wrote:
>The human race has a poor record of understanding a process before
intervening in it. My personal recommendation is that we strive to
understand how bf/lactation naturally works before we go around making rules
that might mess it up.<

Amen to that!
As an information junkie I enjoy learning about the newest research, but the
most important skills are often the most basic.   I have lost count of all
the *must* and *must not* rules I have heard over the years, especially when
it comes to the *best* position for a baby at the breast.

I am indebted to Anne Andrianos for this particular insight. Many years ago
we were sitting next to each other at a conference session in which the
(then) latest and greatest positioning tips were being extolled. During the
break, Anne told me about how she had tried to help her newly-delivered (and
very sore) sister over the phone, by explaining how SHE held her baby to
nurse. It was only when she actually went to see her sister that Anne
realised why the information she had shared did not work - her sister had
shorter arms!

So, what I am saying is that while we need to keep all this great info in
the back of our minds, the most effective approach is to first recognise
that each mother/baby dyad is unique. Our job is to let them know what, in
general,  constitutes normal behaviour for breastfeeding babies, and to help
them find what works for their particular situation.



Norma Ritter, IBCLC, RLC
Breastfeeding Matters in the Capital Region
www.NormaRitter.com
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