In a message dated 12/10/2002 4:22:48 PM Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes:

> I had always thought that infants (premies
> even) use their hands to console themselves, hand-to-mouth,
> hand to hand.

Valerie,
In the developmental model of care premies are positioned lightly swaddled in nests for containment (mimicking the containment of the uterus) and with hands placed to their faces. Having studied and worked with this model (NIDCAP) which facilitates optimum development for premature infants I would have a very hard time swaddling an infant with arms down. Also, much as those little hands get in the way when babies are latching, I never swaddle them down but teach moms to hold them out of the way until baby is latched and then allow the baby to bring hands to face. If the baby doesn't do it herself, I bring them up for her. Hands to face is a calming and organizing mechanism for the infant.  Those babies who are inconsolable (drug babies and some others in the hospital fit that category) respond to swaddling, but we always swaddle them with elbows flexed and hands to face.

Kathy Boggs, RN, IBCLC
Mountain View, CA

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