Jack is absolutely right.  It is the sick, injured, dying infant who needs
the compassionate comfort of the breast the most.  It matters little whether
the baby actually feeds this way, but so long as the baby can be held, time
at breast is soothing.  Later, milk throught the tube feeds may even provide
some analgesia.  There has been discussion lately in the peds lit about how
dying children are not getting the appropriate level of pain relief and
hospice type care (prob. because to provide it means parents and care givers
have to confront the reality of the situation -- which is so painful that
denial seems preferable).  My experience suggests the mother appreciates
deeply anything that eases the misery of her baby.

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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