Guthries/breast feeding

[Mary Murphy]

In the study, 30 infants were held and breast-fed by their mothers while a blood sample was taken from the child's heel (a procedure known as heel lance) while researchers monitored the baby's reactions. Crying and grimacing was reduced by 91% and 84%, respectively, among infants who were breast-fed during the procedure compared with babies who had the procedure under standard circumstances (swaddled in their bassinets). In fact, 11 of the 15 breastfeeding babies did not cry or grimace at all during the procedure. Researchers say this suggests that breast-feeding may actually prevent pain from starting. The researchers say these findings show that pain relief and stress reduction should be added to the long list of proven benefits of breast-feeding. That validates alot of midwifery wisdom doesn't it? MM