Pinky,
Firstly, let me say Pinky, that I have the greatest respect for you and your
beliefs, but let me admit straight up that I am very sceptical of
chiropracters, particularly those who are happy to manipulate babies. So I must
ask, did this baby have any symptoms of a dislocated shoulder? Was it favouring
the other arm or not moving it at all? Was it lengthened, disproportionate to
the body or other arm, or was there an abnormality in the appearance of the
shoulder. I have never seen a baby with a dislocated shoulder, broken clavicle
and erbs palsy yes, but no dislocation. I have seen adults with dislocations
and they are rather easy to spot and can be fun to replace! I would have been
surprised that a breech birth would be associated with a dislocated shoulder.
There is a correlation between breech birth and congenital dislocation of the
hip, particularly in girls. I am unsure how the mechanisms of breech birth
(Hands off the breech) would cause such an injury. Perhaps you can offer me
some insight into this case?
Thankfully,
Megan
----- Original Message -----
From: Pinky McKay
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 10:35 AM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Reflux
Helen - I tend to agree - I see many babies who have been 'diagnosed'with
reflux - I heard a paed speak ( sorry cant remember his name) who said it was
more to do with anxiety/ lack of attunement than a 'stomach' condition -I
wouldnt blame parents though as anyone with an unsettled baby would be anxious/
vicious cycle. I have though seen babies settle "miraculously' after a little
work with parents - teaching baby massage is a very non-intrusive/ non
"blaming" way to help parents become confident at attuning with baby non-verbal
cues and thus responding appropriately; also if they do a few tangible things
like positioning babies - ie head elevated - I show a lovely position with a
pillow between parents bent legs( feet together, knees open, with pillow
resting on parents feet), baby facing parent, so baby and parent make good eye
contact - babies seem to stop grizzling straight away - and colic holds ;
'colic' massage -I too am a bit sceptical about all the 'wind' that seems to be
around; plus a few changes to mums diet ( wonder if some of this is allergies/
food sensitivity - mums tend to fill up on chocolate when they feel stressed
with unsettled bubs) and within days babies are much better.
perhaps having a label takes away the blame aspect that parents are doing
something wrong - I also see babies for whom meds make no difference - eg one
this week diagnosed with 'reflux' -I suggested a really good paediatric chiro
locally - bub had been breech ( vag birth) and turned out he had a shoulder
dislocated - mum also eating loads of dairy. Bub was much calmer after his
shoulder was fixed, relaxed and took a full massage that afternoon - the
previous session he cried so much he couldnt be massaged at all.
I wonder if the 'overdiagnosis' of reflux is a treatment of symptoms not a
look at what could be causing the crying and /or vomiting.
Pinky
----- Original Message -----
From: Helen and Graham
To: ozmidwifery
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 9:22 AM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Reflux
Just found this article whilst surfing the net. I feel anecdotally that
both reflux and colic are overdiagnosed. I am a midwife but not a MCH nurse.
If it is so common maybe it IS a normal variation......what do you think about
it? It just seems to me that some people aren't happy until they have a label
and a medicine to treat it with when they have an "unsettled" baby. Maybe I am
being too simplistic about this subject.
Interested in the thoughts of some of our online listers.
Helen
http://www.bubhub.com.au/newsletterdec0601.shtml
Reflux is so common it is almost seen as 'normal', or even trivial,
and most people just don't understand how difficult life can be for many
families, or understand the impact reflux can have on their lives! They may
think of it erroneously as 'just a bit of vomiting', or 'just a behavioural
issue'. They don't see how it impacts on the child's eating, sleeping, growth,
behaviour or quality of life; or on the family's quality of life, relationships
between partners, siblings or other children; finances; and even leisure time.
The truth is, only families who have experienced it for themselves really
understand.
Many families:
a.. Have difficulty getting people to believe just how bad the
vomiting and/or the screaming really are
b.. receive conflicting and confusing advice
c.. become socially isolated
d.. feel like failures as parents
e.. have family and friends who just didn't understand
Even when a baby is suffering from relatively uncomplicated reflux,
families often need reassurance, and enjoy talking to someone who understands.
For the families whose infants suffer complications, it is even more important
that they can talk to other parents, and have the support, reassurance and
understanding they need to get through this stressful experience
