Dr. Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding by Jack Newman

Author:Jack Newman [Newman, Jack; Pitman, Teresa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781443410045
Publisher: HarperCollins Canada
Published: 2014-04-13T04:00:00+00:00

In other words, even in the early 19th century, before modern obstetrics and modern “help” with breastfeeding, babies often took their time getting started at breastfeeding.

Myth #2: The usual reason babies don’t latch on is that the mother has flat or inverted nipples.

Fact: We tend to believe that if a mother’s nipple does not look like a bottle nipple, it is flat. True inverted nipples are rare; in 28 years I have seen only a very few. What most people call inverted nipples are nipples that are “infolded,” meaning they look inverted, but actually come out easily when suction is applied to them.

Myth #3: Nipple shields are a good way to get the baby to latch on.

Fact: Nipples shields do more harm than good. A baby latched on to a nipple shield is not latched on at all, and the mother’s milk supply will often decrease. We find that babies who have been using a nipple shield for more than a few days are the most difficult ones to get latched on.

Why would babies not be able to latch on to the breast?

Probably the most common reason is that we don’t give them enough time. In many hospitals, babies are given bottles of formula if they haven’t latched on to the breast and fed by three hours after birth, partly for fear of violating the rule that babies must feed every three hours, and partly for an unfounded fear that the baby will develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Experienced midwives who assist at home births reinforce Goethe’s observations: some babies latch on immediately and feed frequently during the first few days. Some babies feed immediately after birth and then are not interested in feeding again for several hours, sometimes as long as 24 hours. Some will not show interest in feeding in the first couple of hours after birth or for several hours afterwards. All these variations are normal and are seen in perfectly healthy babies who go on to breastfeed well and exclusively.

The rule that babies must breastfeed every three hours from birth on often leads inexperienced or unskilled helpers to push the baby into the breast when he is not interested in breastfeeding. Sometimes this leads babies to develop an aversion to the breast. Then, since the baby didn’t feed, the conclusion is that he needs a bottle of formula. Adding formula, especially by bottle, complicates the problem even more.

Once artificial nipples are added to the mix, the situation often deteriorates. Is it necessary to use artificial nipples to feed a baby who is not latching on? Almost never. See the chapter “Breastfeeding Devices.”

Obstetrical practices during labour and birth are also responsible for many babies not being able to latch on immediately. See the chapter “How Birth Affects Breastfeeding.” Separation of the mother and the baby is another very important reason why babies don’t latch on. Skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and rooming in are important for the baby to latch on. There is no reason, for example,

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