Susan,
I don't Know whether this idea will help but I found 'It caused a bit of
reprieve of stress for little Mums' in the areas I've worked.
As I show them ways to feed and get them started on feeding as I only have a
very limited time before discharge.
 I tell them when 'teaching' BF, that if the baby slips down onto the nipple
instead of having a good mouthful of Nipple and Areola sometimes he
grazes(demo as a knee graze) the nipple to such a degree that he tears the
skin or worse makes the nipple bleed. Although they may not 'see'(blood on
bubs mouth) this, but maybe feel the nipple sore, BUT bub may vomits up
bright blood. I ask them 'not to panic' as there is a explanation. It is
coming from their nipple. I ask them 'would you check your nipple
first(showing what to look for). I then tell them that although the trauma
has occurred; 'It is OK to feed' again from that side the next or following
feed BUT they are to re- position their baby(demo) and check the baby's
attachment at the nipple so as he has a large mouthful of the breast areola.
So far, when it has happened, the Mum has been a 'little guilty'as 'she was
warned'(her words) as I gave the Info but it saved the rush to
mergency.[ also I know that if she hits A&E she will be told to take the
baby of the breast- not how to treat it sensibly as I have had another who
found my Number and rang me asking for help after A&E.

Hope this is helpful.
Robyn Aulmann RM
Quetta Pakistan
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan & Moshe Srebrnik [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2001 3:55 PM
Subject: spitting up blood


Whenever I see a mom with a wounded nipple, I always warn her not to get
scared if she sees a bit of blood if the baby spits up.  This
explanation saves an awful lot of parents running to the emergency room
where the staff usually put these poor babies thru the wringer only to
find out the blood is from the mother's nipple.  (Why they don't ask
about this FIRST is another matter.)

Susan Nachman-Srebrnik, IBCLC
Ranana, Israel

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html