LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
"Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 31 Aug 1995 12:04:26 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (30 lines)
Hi Ilene,
It is really hard to do suck rehab over the computer, but here are a few
things that might help this baby.
mom can try tipping his chin back a tiny bit to bring that small jaw forward.
 She can support his chin with the front of the hand that supports her breast
(dancer hand position).  Tickling the lower lip with the nipple until baby is
opened wide and his tongue is down and out is helpful in getting baby to pull
the breast deeply into his mouth.  (Lips curled in are usually a result of the
mouth closing as the baby latches, which is a no-no.)  If the tongue is still
pressing against the nipple/ mom can try some sublingual pressure - she bends
her index finger under baby's chin and presses gently on the soft spot inside
the jaw bone (the base of the tongue muscles) every time she feels baby
thrusting.  These things may help the symptoms, but there may be some
underlying cause - often when babies suck incorrectly it is for a reason, in
other words the sucking is adaptive for that baby - it works for some reason
even though it is wrong and limiting.  For example, when mom has an overactive
MER, milk flow is very fast, some babies may suck ineffectively to slow down
the flow to a level they can handle.  Be aware of this, and watch the effect
of your suggestions carefully, readjusting as neccessary.
        You can also encourage mom that by 8 weeks she can certainly nurse at
night and give bottles during the day, since she can't pump at work.  She
could pump at night if she wished. Or she could sleep wtih baby and let him
nurse ad lib all night.  Her body will adapt to whatever schedule she sets as
long as she gets a good supply going in the first 6 weeks or so.  (As
evidenced by my friend who pumped a quart a day in one session each morning
during her ped residency, to carry her baby through 36 hour 'call'.)
        If none of this works, an LC or an OT might be able to help further.
Kepp us posted.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC

ATOM RSS1 RSS2