Dear Friends, after I read the post referenced below, I felt it was
appropriate to share it with my dear friend as she is not on Lactnet.  If you
wish to respond directly to Kittie, try accessing the Geddes Productions web
site (www.geddespro.com)
She has asked that I share with you:

Date:    Thu, 18 Dec 1997 13:09:21 -0000
>From:    mombo <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Kitty Franz and pacifier use
>
>Hi All Lactnetters!
>
>Please update me!! Recently a co-worker attended the UCLA lactation
>educator program in Milw WI.  Upon her return I was asking her questions
>(you know, how was it stuff) and she made the comment that K. Franz doesn't
>see 'much of a problem' with pacifiers.  !??!  My co-workers interpretation
>of what was said was 'it's up to the mother'.  Have I been reading old
>stuff??  I further questioned her (co-worker) about this and gave an
>example from Franz's video (first attachment) on how sore nipples can
>occur.
>
>Please, anybody go to this Milwaukee education this past Nov?
>Happy Holidays
>Lucy,WI
>
>Dear Mary Kay,
Please put out my response over Lactnet.  First of all if one hears
troubling information, one should go to the source and check it out and not
fuel a rumor.  I have been teaching for twenty-five years and anyone who
does recognizes that students don't always process all that was spoken.  I
don't recall making that statement about pacifiers but if a student had
brought up an individual situation and asked how I would solve it, then
special circumstances may have come into play.  For the record:  I caution
all of my patients not to use a pacifier at all until the first two weeks
when I see them for their baby's two week well baby exam.  I give them the
usual reasons such as nipple confusion but most of all I tell them that this
is your milk establishment period and you want baby to nurse a lot and not
use a pacifier that might cut into that precious time at the breast.  In
practice, you must realize that there are situations that make "always" and
"never" inappropriate.  Colic in an infant for one.  Some babies with colic
suckle for comfort and can overfeed.  If the parents and I feel that this is
happening, I might suggest a pacifier in the baby carrier to settle baby
down who is in terrible pain.   Colic usually doesn't show up until 3-4
weeks of age so there wouldn't be a need to use the pacifier for this until
then.  If parents ask about a pacifier, I warn them that it can get out of
hand and becomes "too easy" to quiet baby who may need you or is really
hungry.  If I was "always"  or "never" with my patients, they would balk and
not be receptive to my words of wisdom.  Everyone's patient population is
different.  My comment that I have become more lax on pacifiers is that in
my wisdom over the years, I have had to relax and drop the "always" and
"nevers" out of my practice.  I hope this helps to clarify any comment I
have made and what was heard.  I personally don't like pacifiers but have
seen them work for a baby in terrible pain who just couldn't nurse any more.
Kittie

------Mary Kay Smith
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