I find it interesting that so much of the discussion about nipple confusion
uses the words "believe"  "true believer" and "feel".  While I am as
interested as the next LC in the idea of intuition (esp. educated clinical
intuition based on lots of experience) I find it intreguing that the
research gives us no clear evidence of pacifiers or teats causing the kind
of feeding problems described in these discussions.

Reverse causality (as Chloe Fisher suggests) is just as valid an explanation
of what we call suck confusion or nipple confusion.  I think there are a lot
of babies who are at first (for various reasons) not quite functional
feeders.  And their moms have perhaps not quite everted nipples (remember,
about 10% of moms have this issue.)  It is entirely possible that when you
factor in a lot of common impediments AND the lousy latch on teaching moms
typically recieve, the paci or bottle teat is just an item the baby CAN make
work.  Fix the latch, fix the nipple eversion, fix the milk supply and it's
rare that you can't transfer a baby back.

Does this mean I think we should ignore the data on ear infections and
pacis?  No.  They get dropped and get dirty.  Do I think we should bottle
feed babies for no good reason?  No.  Esp. if there is formula in the
bottle. Do I think this discussion should be based on facts and reseach?
Yes.  I invite all the people who want to cont. this discussion to read the
lit on this subject.

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

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