Actually, I have some moms that use it and love it and others that don't. The milk does NOT flow if the baby is not sucking. The baby has to learn to control the flow with the level of suck. My issue with it is that it is a fast flow with a relatively low suck pressure. My rationale is that some research has shown that babies exert an average pressure of about 160-180 mmhg and that is adequate to "empty" a breast. Now - if a baby can get flow with lower pressures than that at faster than, say, an ounce in 5 minutes, will that make the baby reject a slower flowing breast? I have had some babies that this bottle helped tremendously just because of the firmer teat and the inability to compress, which helped post-frenulotomy babies to improve central grooving of the tongue and is easier than finger-feeding especially for bigger/older babies needing more volume. Bottom line: there's no one-size fits all!
-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Virginia Thorley
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2012 1:56 AM
Subject: Re: any feedback about Medela's Calma nipple?
Meema Spadola wrote:
I know this is very early, but I'm curious to know if anyone has any
feedback about Medela's new Calma nipple:
http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/594/calma
thanks,
Meema
**************************
Meema, I am definitely unimpressed with them. They are too long and rigid,
and so babies don't learn how to draw in some of the mother's breast as well
as her nipple. These artificial nipples can still flow, even with a baby who
makes an inadequate seal. I've seen it! I can't think of any good use for
them.
If a mother is already using bottles and teats when she makes an
appointment, I ask her to use 2-3 different types of teats (so that the
mother's breast is the one consistent suck object) and to discontinue the
Calma. (There are one or two other types I discourage.) I also encourage
mothers to interrupt the feed several times so that the baby can catch
her/his breath (and not learn to expect continuous flow), a technique I've
been teaching Mums one-on-one since the mid-1990s.
As an historian, I have come across a lot of different designs over the
years, all with specific claims that owe more to marketing and hope than
reality. Some designs come back with new materials after 20 years, even 150
years, and sink from sight just as their predecessors did. Other claims,
such as "anti-colic" have been applied to an amazing array of designs across
many years.
I wish I had had the sense to buy one really oddly shaped teat at a
conference in 2007, as an example of lack of physiological knowledge by the
designers. I didn't buy it - and I haven't seen it since. I think I have a
photo of it on a slide somewhere. Lesson - take a photo of anything new, in
case it isn't around for long. The next miracle design will be out there, in
its place.
Virginia
Dr Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA
Brisbane, Qld, Australia
E: [log in to unmask]
*
***********************************************
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
***********************************************
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
|
