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Subject:
From:
Jim & Winnie Mading <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 16 Oct 2003 09:43:28 -0500
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Stacey asks:
"Considering all the different types of breastfeeding holds and
positions which one is most commonly used in your area of work and
which one seems to work most effectively with breastfeeding mothers
and infants?"

It really depends.  In most cases, I find the "C" hold works best.
The challenge is getting the mom to keep her hand far enough back on
the breast that she isn't interferring with baby getting enough
tissue in it's mouth.  Then, if you look at the Glover video,
"Follow me Mum" you see an approach that usually doesn't require any
"hold" of the breast.  While the "V" hold (sometimes called
"cigarette" or "scissors") isn't necessarily the best choice because
it may restrict flow (it is also harder for mom to keep her fingers
away from where baby's mouth needs to be), there may be times when
you want to do exactly that - as when initial flow is overwhelming
to baby.
Then again, there is such variation between baby's ability to latch
without help, mom's breast size, baby's size, etc. etc.  Therefore,
you really can't say one approach is best in all cases.  I like what
a recent post said about the key element being what is happening
inside baby's mouth.  As long as the breast winds up "where it needs
to be", how it gets there isn't important.  What counts is what
approach helps that mom/baby combination get the breast "where it
belongs".
I have found the "teacup" approach helps in some cases where it is
hard for baby to keep enough breast tissue in the mouth at first.
The problem it that some nurses tend to keep their fingers too close
to the nipple and then baby's mouth can't get far enough on.
I often describe to mom's that they need to start off looking almost
as if they are tyring to shove the nipple up baby's nose!  Then when
baby opens wide and reaches up to get at the breast, they plant the
lower jaw well onto the breast and quickly let baby draw the nipple
and areola in before his mouth closes.  I find it very hard to
describe without some kind of visual demonstration.  I personally
use my fist to represent the breast, esxend the middle finger
knuckle to represent the nipple and latch onto that with my mouth so
mom can see in profile what I'm talking about.  I'm sure others use
different techniques that work just as well or probaly better.  I
try, when possible, to develop methods that don't require me to have
extra equipment to make my point.  Balloons, breast models, etc are
fine when presenting to a group, but you don't always have them
available when talking to a mom 1-1.

Good luck in your studies.  It is exciting to see the topics that
you students are researching.  We sometimes wonder where the next
generation of LCs will come from.  To a large extent, it will be
from programs like yours.

Winnie

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