On Thu, 31 Jul 2008, Eileen Ahearn-Shea wrote:
 
?I recall a paragraph about a breast sling in an older book written for
mothers---It recommended a piece of ribbing fabric, the kind found in
the neck of turtleneck sweaters and using it to hold up the breast.  In
the office I often use a tensor bandage for the same purpose.   Who
said "Plus ca change, plus c'est le meme chose"?"
 
Hi Elieen
One of my clients some years, a health professional, came with a home-made sling that was more like a wide strap.  It didn't really support her breast and sort of cut into the soft breast tissue. This was in the late-1990s, and since then I've encouraged Mums to hold the baby lower, sit up straight, and bring the baby from under - even if that means from her lap.  One of my thoughts with this Australian sling was that I'd normally teach the mother to hold the baby lower, where the breast actually *is*, not some idealised "right" level.
Howewer, when I saw the inventor putting the sling on and how she used it when breastfeeding her baby, I could see that it was a different design altogether from the old ribbing fabric or strip of foam inside stockinette.  It seems to work well, without the issues I've seen with home-made straps.
Cheers
Virginia

Dr Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA
Honorary Research Fellow
School of History, Philosophy, Religion & Classics
The University of Queensland, QLD 4072
Australia

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome