I saw a baby boy just over a week ago in a neighboring town.  He'd had
vigorous suctioning due to mec in waters - according to dad they did a
"Really good job getting down his throat and into his lungs to make sure
there was no mec in there".  sigh.  Baby's head was noticeably lopsided, jaw
asymmetrical, tight neck and jaw muscles.  I did suck evaluation with flow
of milk (my usual) and baby flat out refused to move his tongue to do
anything - kept it bunched up tight in back - no peristaltic wave - no
compressions - at best he would use negative pressure but even that was
minimal.  No gentle pressure, no gentle massage, no gentle anything would
encourage this baby to open his mouth any more than absolutely necessary to
get food, nor would he respond to any of my 'tricks' to help that tongue
relax and actually move. I have never seen a baby so aversive and so shut
down orally.  On a bottle he would suck more or less, but it took a very
long time to encourage him to eat.



I talked to parents about baby's issues and why they were there and
recommended a CST guy in a neighboring town who has been having great
results with other babies.  Baby is in desperate need of emotional and
physical assistance.  It was clear that the parents had shut down - they
were this way when I arrived - they were almost confrontational the entire
time.  They appeared as if they did not want to hear what I had to say (very
frustrating for someone who typically has fabulous communication skills with
her clients even when they don't like that I have to tell them their little
one has issues).  So, I gave my input and recommendations, answered all of
Dad's questions (I literally got the 3rd degree and then some with an almost
angry attitude).  I gave them a great handout on CST and asked that they
call me in a couple days and let me know how they are doing - then I got out
of there as quick as I could.  I stayed my normal warm, and nice self and
acted as if their behavior was completely normal.  But I have to tell you -
I felt like if looks could maim.I'd have been maimed.



I didn't hear from them and have been swamped this past week.  I finally had
time to sit down and call.  They called me back this morning and left me a
message stating that they took my information and handout to the
Pediatrician who told them that CST was dangerous and would not be
beneficial to their baby at all.  'Thank you for calling, we are taking our
Ped's advice and we'll call you if we need anything.'  Pretty clear they do
not want a return phone call from me.



How this person determined that CST is dangerous (if that is truly the case
and parents are not just blowing me off any way they can) is beyond me.
And, I am so frustrated that I was not able to talk to them in a manner or
on their level that gained their confidence and trust.  I know it isn't
really about me - they were so shut down already by the time they found me.
I was (yet again) a last resort after talking with a few others in their
area that I don't think I had a chance regardless.  Not sure what they will
do - I just worry about the baby.I haven't seen a poor little guy this shut
down.



Just needed to vent a bit.



On a better note, a local birthing center gave a new mommy my name and
number - saw her twice - she is doing fabulous!  Baby is gaining avg of 3
ounces per day.yes per day!  She told me how grateful she was that there
were people like me in the world.and 2 other moms whose LC's had completely
missed obvious TT's were grateful for me help last week too.  Another baby
(3 months old!) had such a sensitive gag reflex it was amazing.  I taught
mom some desensitizing techniques (Thanks Cathy Genna's book!) and within a
week she had great results and BF was considerably less painful than it had
been and baby was latching deeper.  Interesting week.



Thanks for listening.


Warmly,



Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

Breastfeeding Network

Sacramento, CA

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net




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