----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2002 2:16
PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Refusing the
breast
Dear Sheena
Breast refusal is often multi factorial and
difficult to give good advice over the internet without being able to see
exactly what is going on. Have you been to see a Lactation Consultant?
Babies usually do have a pretty good (and
logical) reason for their behaviour. We just have difficulty reading it
sometimes.
If she is breast feeding well at night but
refusing during the day then you need to look at what is different. This
also makes it very hopeful that you should be able to remedy the situation
relatively easily once you recognise the cause of the behaviour.
Is it
- different feeding postion? - sometimes if
they have been stressed at the breast by upset mum in pain, being held in
uncomfortable position, being forced to the breast e.g. hand behind the head
etc. then the babe will struggle against this. If it is held for
comfort in one position - say, up on the shoulder and then shifted to a
different position to feed and it associates that position with
struggle and stress then it will be thrown into a panic as soon as it is
shifted from the "comfort" position to the "struggle" position - side lying
with minimal handling of babe is often most comfortable for mum and babe in
this situation.. and re-educating the babe (and mum) that the breast is a
place of comfort and feeling good.. use the breast feeding hold at other
times just to be close and cuddle...
- mum and baby sleepy and relaxed at the night
feeds?..relaxation bath with mum and babe and lots of skin on skin time
that is enjoyed by both mum and babe is important
- larger supply and quicker let down at
night?..hungry babes will often get frustrated if milk is not coming
quick enough - supply-line may be useful in this case until the supply has
increased
If mum or babe have been on antibiotics at any
stage then this can wreak havoc on the babies gut and immune system - can
cause thrush which can effect the way a babe sucks and cause lots of tummy
pains - Natren Lifestart which is a probiotic (bifidobacterium) will normalise
these effects from the antibiotics.
I would be fairly confident that the cause of the breast refusal has
little to do with the "period" unless there has been retained
placental fragments which has been suppressing lactation. If this is the
problem then besides the removal of the fragments the are various solutions
for increasing her milk supply.
Poor attachment is often another contributing cause of these types of
difficulties (both supply problems and breast refusal issues). Use of
dummy is also often associated with poor attachment . I would strongly
recommend seeking out an LC.
Hope something here is useful to you
Good Luck
Sandra
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 7:17
PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Refusing the
breast
Hi List
Ruby Rainbow our 10 week old (3 weeks prem)
baby grand-daughter is now refusing the breast most feeds. We have been
through colic and reflux. Mum has had mastitis twice and a vaginal
infection. Ruby started to refuse the breast the same time that her Mum
started her ?period. She has had an ultra sound that is inconclusive, the
doctor says that what is showing could just be the uterus involuting, but
the Mum says that babe has been refusing the breast since she has been
losing blood. Have also resorted to glycerine on the dummy and on the nipple
to entice her to feed. She only put on a couple of ounces last week. Babe
seems to feed ok during the night, but in the daytime, starts crying and
won't feed. Any advice out there. I favour going back to her obstetrician
and asking for a second opinion on the ultrasound reading. This Mum is on
Aropax 30mg a day.
Appreciate any advice going
Thanks Sheena
Johnson
