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From:
Rachel Myr <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 21 Dec 2003 01:46:50 +0100
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This is a good news bulletin.  When I got to work this morning I discovered
that of the 8 mothers I and one maternity care assistant would be looking
after, there was *one* who was not known to be having difficulty with BF.
Most were sore, some had had bad experiences the first time around and were
afraid of repetitions, and one had inverted nipples so baby was unable to
latch.  The two other groups' mothers were only slightly better.  So I
offered to have a special group session on avoiding/correcting soreness
through positioning, even though it was Saturday and we usually only have
group teaching 3 weekdays/week.  Luckily everyone else thought it sounded
like a fine idea, and one of the MCAs asked if they could sit in, time
permitting.  Any of you who are alone at your workplaces in your one-track
passion for breastfeeding and all things lactational will know why I was
thrilled at the thought that they were even interested.  Of course they were
welcome, and as it turned out all three of the MCAs came, as did about half
the mothers and babies on the ward.  (It didn't hurt that the MCAs were
three members of my Dream Team for postpartum staff, but even so - a lot of
times if we have 30 minutes with no call bells, staff just sit in our
station and chat, esp. on weekends.)  I handed out information to the
mothers on evaluating latch which I have translated from what Winnie Mading
sent me last year, even though it is really meant for staff - thanks again,
Winnie!

Using my teddy bear and cloth breast we reviewed asymmetrical latch and
cross-cradle hold, I talked up skin-to-skin as the first thing to try for
pretty much any BF problem, and there were a few questions.  For the rest of
the day, the MCAs kept coming to me and saying 'Jane Doe just tried again,
and she undressed the baby, I helped her a little to get a good position,
and she had no pain! IT WORKED!'  They were at least as charged as the
mothers were, perhaps more, because they know they will have many more
opportunities to use this stuff.  Two of them have been working there for
over 20 years, and the third is a new grad, and they all felt they learned
useful things today, even though the basic principles are very familiar.  I
think there is hope that skin-to-skin will become an automatic first choice
once there is a critical mass of staff who see the effects of it.  The
effect on mothers never ceases to impress me.  They just sort of melt, and
enter that protected zone where all there is, is the baby and them,
together.  If you still haven't had the chance to try it, you have something
wonderful to look forward to.

There were some other nice moments with individual mothers, too complicated
to go into here, but all in all it was an exceptionally satisfying day.  May
all of you become as visible to your workmates in a positive way, even if
only for half an hour!

cheers
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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