Liz, It strikes me, in reading about this baby, that this is not a baby angry at leaving the perfect womb. You mention a long labor and a mother who cannot express milk--have you considered breast edema? Also, with a long labor, you often have a baby in a poor position or who has been exposed to pit, epidural drugs and possibly other interventive stressors. When I see a baby like this, I am more likely to consider that the baby is uncomfortable than angry. As to SKS, it seems to me mom can just lie on her side with baby facing her chest--as if nursing in a side-lying position. It worries me that so many babies in pain are seen by LCs and never referred for this problem--releasing birth trauma is a far better intervention than nipple shields, AIM or any other tehnique that tries to bypass the outcomes of birth trauma rather than healing it. Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA --------------------------- Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 15:46:34 -0500 From: Liz Brooks <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Is side-by-side the same as skin-to-skin? I spoke by phone with the mother of a 41 week AGA, 36-hour old baby girl, first-born by non-eventful vaginal delivery. Baby was red-faced furious at breast the first day; wouldn't latch enough for even one suckle. They offered a nipple shield, which seemed to improve B's wilingness to latch and suckle as the second day of life commenced. (Including --gag -- drops of formula on the nipple shield, cuz mom couldn't manually express any milk out.) Hospital says there has been a *9%* weight loss. Hmm. I am wondering about that ... I talked about LOTS of true skin-to-skin once the family gets home (at about Hour 42-44), and practicing manual expression to express drops to entice baby. Her Q is this: lying on her back is very uncomfortable (long labor; stitches for vaginal tears). Is skin-to-skin "as effective" if she is on her side, the baby snugged up into her tummy area? I gotta admit I was stumped. I am going to dig up my Kangaroo Care stuff, but am hoping someones here has a quick opinion. I understand that for premies, the instructions are pretty clear that the baby is to be lying chest-to-chest with mom (or dad). That full-body-hug can certainly assure the baby is kept toasty warm. But what about side-to-side for a full-termer, who appears to be just mad that she had to give up that perfect womb? (I told Mom to make sure they are draped with a receiving blanket or sheet to retain body heat -- have baby wearing a cap and maybe booties.) ________________________________________________________________________ Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more. *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R). There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html