Linda,

You wrote recently about defending what's normal and bedsharing (responsibly)
in particular.  I am always explaining to moms-to-be and new moms that babies
are born with the same species encoding/expectations today, that they were
since the beginning of time.  We can change cultural practices along the way and
impose hardships on our youngest members of society because of this, but
baby's needs don't change.  I talk of humans being a "constant contact" species
and what that means in terms of breastfeeding and skin contact and carrying,
show pictures of our "relatives", lovely, nurturing great apes (Nat'l Geographic)
breastfeeding (til 4 yr), carrying, holding close, and most mothers/fathers
"get it."

What's frustrating are the calls I get such as this one a couple of days ago
from a mom who called to report her 8 wk old's weight and run by me what HCP
said to her;  "Baby's get all they need to eat in the first seven minutes, so
after that nursing is just for comfort-a pacifier or thumb is fine to
substitute,"  "at 12 pounds a baby doesn't need to eat at night and should sleep 12
hr,"  "if you have to co-sleep, use bolsters around the baby and you to keep you
from rolling over on him; the only SIDS death in my practice was from
co-sleeping."

At least mom disregarded all of the above even before I said anything and we
can continue dialogues as she's in my support group.  But do I contact this
doc with info and a courteous letter addressing his poignant points?  I wish I
had more time but perhaps this is well worth it.  What would others do?

Barbara Latterner, BSN, RN, IBCLC


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