With all due respect to those taking part in this thread.....

If we needed research to support everything that we do to help moms and babies, then I wager that few of us would be doing much of anything.  There is very little scientific research in any areas of  lactation support, from rebirthing to cranial sacral therapy to digital exams.  These could all be labeled interventions.  We imply that it is usually better to breastfeed even if mom is taking all manner of mind-altering drugs, yet we have absolutely no long-range proof that this is the case.  The ultimate intervention is the introduction of formula which can be the outcome if I am unable to help a mother get her baby to the breast.  Digital exams can be extremely helpful in some cases and I cannot see the harm if done properly.  What parents anywhere do not let their babies suck on their fingers?  This is simply the diagnostic use of a very normal activity.  The AIDS tie-in seems a bit obtuse at this point in time.  No one has duplicated the Coutsoudis study nor do we know yet the mechanism that explains their findings.  No offense, but this seems like quite a scare tactic - I am thinking now of those who are new to this profession.  I repect the professional ethics of those who choose not to do digital exams, but I do kind of resent the implication that those of us who do may be causing harm to these babies.

A few not-so-thoughtful words before retiring to bed.




Warmly,
Sharon Knorr, BSMT, ASCP, IBCLC
Newark, NY (near Rochester on Lake Ontario)
mailto:[log in to unmask]

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