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Lying Down May Help Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding newborn babies lying down may boost
the chances of success, UK research suggests.
A study of 40 mothers breastfeeding in different
positions found that babies' natural reflexes kicked in more easily
when the mothers were lying down.
The position seemed to trigger primitive reflexes
usually seen in young mammals, the Royal College of Nursing conference
heard.
Many women struggle with breastfeeding and give
up after a few weeks.
Dr Suzanne Colson, senior midwifery lecturer
at Canterbury Christ Church University, advises women on a technique
called biological nurturing where the mother lies down and lets
the baby lie on its tummy on top of her.
To look at whether this technique promotes feeding
reflexes in the baby, she video-taped 40 women breastfeeding in
a sitting-up position and lying down or reclining in the first
month of life.
She spotted 17 reflexes in babies when they were
breastfed lying down, including reflexes normally associated with
other mammals who feed their babies in this way.
Breastfeeding in a sitting-up position only promoted
the three normally seen reflexes - routing, latching and sucking.
Mothers who breastfed lying down seemed to have
more success and, although the majority of women in the study
had initially reported problems with breastfeeding, after using
the technique all the women continued breastfeeding.
Primitive reflexes
Dr Colson said the current study could not prove
the technique was more successful than the standard sitting-up
position, but it challenged the view that the"correct way" to
breastfeed is sitting bolt upright or or lying on your side.
"I found that mothers who breastfed their infants
semi-reclined or flat-lying (as opposed to side-lying), in positions
that mirrored the feeding positions of other mammals, had the
greatest success.
"When mothers were lying flat or semi-reclined,
babies could find the breast easier and in many cases attach themselves
and feed whilst asleep.
"The research suggests that babies when they
are on their tummy display these primitive reflexes, head bobbing
in particular, that is seen in other mammals who are abdominal
feeders."
She advised mothers to do what feels comfortable.
Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the Royal
College of Nursing, said: "For many new mothers breastfeeding
can be difficult and challenging. Not being able to do something
which is supposed to be as simple and as natural as feeding their
own child can leave many new mothers feeling disappointed and
let down.
"By challenging conventional breastfeeding positions
this new research could go a long way to helping those mothers
who are experiencing difficulties feeding their infants by suggesting
other easy-to-adopt positions."
Mr Pat O'Brien, consultant in obstetrics and
gynaecology at University College London and spokesperson for
the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said it would
be useful for women to know they can try different positions.
"From a health point of view, there's no reason
they couldn't try breastfeeding in that position and we welcome
any research that might improve the chances of success.
"Maybe women just have to experiment and find
a position that suits them best."
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