My colleagues have often reminded me I must try to explain things more
simply. I'm trying "to come to terms".
The other day it popped into my mind to use the term "off-center latch".
I knew that for most WIC (and many other) clients (as well as lots of
HCP's!), the term "asymmetrical latch" was too technical, and the term
"good latch" is open to too broad an interpretation by those "not in the
know".
I think I will work with this term for a while, and thought I might share
it for what it's worth to others.
Also, I am also dropping the term "foremilk" completely with most moms. I
am now "accentuating the positive". Even though it might not be 100%
scientifically accurate, in our low-fat-food conscious culture, to get my
point across more vividly and in more familiar terms, I say: "The CREAM
is a little thicker and moves forward in the breast a little more slowly.
It's important to let the baby get to the cream by removing milk from the
first breast as thoroughly as possible, before deciding whether to offer
the other breast. It also helps the baby feel satisfied longer because it
takes slightly longer to digest."
This "first breast first" concept makes a good set of early instructions
to mothers, whom many hospitals are still giving the impression that they
"ought to" or "must" use both breasts at a feeding.
(This parallels the simplistic info told 1-4 decades ago to many
relatives who are now primary support persons to today's new moms in
early lactation). For many, this leads to eventual relative lactose
overloads, complaints of fussiness, etc. etc.
To accomplish this, so many moms seem to feel compelled to "religiously"
switch breasts by watching the clock (after they have watched the baby
enough to know approximately when to catch him "before he starts to fall
asleep") so he will try the second breast.
It is also a good prelude to interventions such as suggesting breast
compression for babies who fall asleep quickly when the flow slacks off,
using the same breast for 2-3 or more feeds in a row for babies who want
to eat "so often", or same breast for all feeds in 4-12+ hour periods in
fussy, gassy, babies, and for "using the third breast" (i.e. returning to
the first breast when the baby seems to have "emptied" both breasts and
is still hungry.)
That's the time I explain "Even if it doesn't seem like much is there,
every little drop (or tiny bit or half-ounce, etc.) he is getting now is
much CREAMIER and higher in calories, like dessert!"
As our old saying goes "It's close enough for government work!"
Jean
***********
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA
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