In einer eMail vom 16-5-02 21:47:53 West-Europa (zomertijd) schreibt
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> If we really knew what we were
> doing, would there be so many non-latching babies or low supplies or
> infected breasts and nipples?
Last night I saw an episode of a Dutch television show ''The maternuty
hotel'' This is a hotel (leased rooms in a business hotel) where low-risk
moms can have a ''homebirth'' like birth and stay for the maternity days (8
days). In the show some pregnant, delivering and new moms are followed during
their stay i the hotel.
Yesterday I saw a nice birth, midwife was reassuring and calm, maternity
nurses were caring and sweet, mom did a great job, as did her partner. No
meds, no complications. Great so far. Then, after the midwife lifted the baby
out she placed him on mom's chest, but on her T-shirt, started rubbing the
''dirt'' off and covered baby with a towel. Mom was happy, sniffing and
holding her crying baby. No clue as to tend to the needs the baby was
sounding in his cry. Then, before first latch, dad had the baby in arms,
while mom was ''taken care of''. Dad was talking and singing to his child,
very happy and proud, no doubt. Baby was giving very obvious rooting sigs:
mouthing his hands (almost eating them), turning his head to both sides, etc.
No one recognised these signs. Well, dad ofcourse will have never heard of
such a thing, mom did not see it and the nurse and midwife were busy cleaning
mom and making coffee and ''beschuit met muisjes'' (the traditional Dutch
treat when a baby iis born). Not untill after all that baby was put at
breast. I couldn't see the latch, but did see the midwife point at his cheek
or throat and explaining to mom: see, you can actually see that he is getting
milk in already.
This is a clear example of ignorance. The midwife was certainly pro
breastfeeding, but didn't have a clue about how to get off to a good start.
Mom planned to breastfeed, but didn't have any knowledge about how to do so.
Ofcourse chances are that it will turn out OK, but the chances for failure
are as big.
And, alas, unmedicalised birthing and 8 days full maternity care are no
garantees for a good start with breastfeeding.
Warmly greeting,
Gonneke
==================
Gonneke van Veldhuizen =+= IBCLC, LLLL, MOM =+= primairy school teacher
EUROLAC
breastfeeding information centre and lactation consultant practice
http://www.users.skynet.be/eurolac
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