Margery, We suction newborns because: 1. lithotomy births decrease postural drainage of infant secretions 2. episiotomies prevent the "infant heimlich maneuver" which causes infants to forcefully eject secretions as the chest passes over the intact perineum. 3. drugged neonates are less able to cough and sneeze out fluids from their airways. 4. custom is haarrd to change, as we all know (my head is sore from banging it against the wall, how about yours?) Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC NYC [log in to unmask]