The Lactation Consultant (LC) is meeting with Sally, a first-time mother with a ten day old. Though this mother had attended a prenatal breastfeeding class at the hospital, she calls the LC with many questions and concerns about her baby and breastfeeding. The new mom sounds like a mother on the verge of adding formula. The LC knows that time spent with Sally is critically important to helping her meet her original breastfeeding goals. The lactation consultant hopes that HUG Your Baby techniques will make a difference.
The Science behind the HUG Strategy: “See, then Share”:
The See, then Share HUG Strategy has two components: Broadcasting and Commentating. Of course these concepts are borrowed from the world of sports, and as you will soon discover, they are concepts that have magical powers in the baby world.
Broadcasting a baby’s behavior means saying exactly what you see the mother and the baby doing. You might think, “Well, this isn’t rocket science!” But, reflect for a moment about the impact of what you are doing. By Broadcasting this baby’s behavior you are:
- Showing a mother that you are totally focused on (and very interested in) HER baby
- Giving a mother specific information about her baby’s body language
- Teaching a mother how her baby’s body responds to actions the mother takes.
- Critical information is offered, but it’s now relevant because it is connected to what the baby is doing now.
- The parent can see that the professional knows and understands A LOT about his/her baby.
- The baby is an active participant in the process of parenting. Commentating communicates, “Watch the baby, and you’ll learn how to be an effective parent. Your baby can be your greatest teacher!”
How the HUG Strategies impacted this mother:
Sally is eager to spend time with the lactation consultant (LC). Though the LC has lots of information she wants to share with the young mother, she (wisely) begins by Broadcasting the baby's behavior. The Lactation Consultant (LC) sits with the young mother, who has just changed her baby’s diaper, is settled into a chair, and now is trying to get her baby to the breast.
The LC Broadcasts, “Your voice was quiet and reassuring as you changed the diaper. Now you are holding her so gently as she wiggles a bit in your arms.” Sally glows with delight, takes a few deep breaths, and seems to relax into her chair as she glances down at her son. She looks calm, feels safe, and knows she is with a person who cares about her baby.
The LC continues to Broadcast. “Camille has so much to say! She looks like she is squeezing her eyes shut; her breathing is getting a bit choppy; her face has both a pink color and a little pale color around her mouth; her movement is jerky.” Sally chimes in, “Yes, she acts like that a lot when I change her diaper.”
The LC wonders aloud, “Do you think she might be having one of those ‘Body SOSs’ we saw on the HUG video?” Sally quickly offers her thoughts on the subject. “Yes, I remember how that little baby would get jerky and look away from his mother when he got over-stimulated.”
The LC now Commentates on this baby’s behavior. “Perhaps she is slightly over-stimulated from all the excitement of having her diaper changed. Do you want to try putting her skin-to-skin for a few minutes? It might help her get back to the ‘Ready Zone.’”
Sally places Camille on her shoulder. The baby squirms a moment until her head is tucked comfortably against her mother’s neck. “You are one sweet baby,” Sally whispers quietly. The LC agrees, commentating on how quiet and peaceful Camille is when her mother holds her close. In a few moments, after Camille’s eyes open, Sally notices the “Zone” change—and brings her baby to the breast for a successful breastfeeding meal.
While the baby breastfeeds, the LC Broadcasts a few more details about the baby’s latch and mother’s positioning of the baby. She then completes the parent visit by Commentating about early feeding cues and reviewing the baby's weights.
By two weeks, Sally's little one is clearly past her birth weight. The LC is impressed how Broadcasting and Commentating the mother and baby's behavior set the stage for this mother to hear the information she needed. The visit also gave Sally the confidence she wanted to stay on the road to breastfeeding success!
©HUG Your Baby 2020