“P” Is for Pain Management through Breastfeeding
April 10, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under advantages of breastfeeding, breastfeeding, health of the baby, medication, mothering, scientific studies
Today’s tip on the advantages of breastfeeding came from a reader who noticed this piece in the Wall Street Journal on pain management for children receiving shots. Options for pain relief include sugar water, the topical numbing cream EMLA, anesthetic sprays, a relaxed attitude in the parent, and holding of the infant. The journalist also suggests:
One simple–and free–option is to breastfeed an infant while the shot is administered, a technique advocated by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
On a friend’s advice, Jennifer Astman of Santa Monica, Calif., decided to nurse her 2-month-old son while he was given three vaccinations earlier this year. She told the nurse about her plan, and the nurse was fine with it, she says. “I was so focused that I didn’t get a chance to get upset,” says Ms. Astman, who was very nervous going into the appointment, “and as a result the baby was more calm.”
Chernova, Yuliya. “Just a Spoonful of Sugar…” Wall Street Journal. B9-B10 (April 3, 2007).
I first learned of this technique from my childhood friend Jen (remember the “Cheap and Easy” one?) I’m sorry to say though that when I attempted to nurse my baby while shots were administered, the nurse barked a stern warning at me, “She’ll bite you!” Why I listened to her I’ll never know. It’s highly unlikely my avid nurser would bite and even less likely she’d break the skin. Lesson learned and I will use that memory to remind myself to speak out in favor of breastfeeding and to stick up for what’s best for my baby.
The notion that breastfeeding helps with pain management is rooted in science. The BBC reports that breastfeeding relieved pain from a needle prick for blood testing better than swaddling, using a pacifier or giving a placebo.
The researchers say that the key to the effect of breastfeeding may be that an infant simply draws comfort from the close proximity of its mother.
Alternatively, breastfeeding may help to divert attention away from the pain of a needle prick.
They also suggest that the sweetness of breast milk may be a factor.
Another theory is that breast milk contains a high concentration of a chemical which could ultimately trigger the production of natural painkillers called endorphins.
“Breastfeeding ‘kills baby’s pain.’” BBC News. (July 19, 2006).
Admittedly, I don’t remember this tidbit exactly, but I thought I remembered reading somewhere that ONE of the possible items used for pain management for circumsizing boys was plain old sugar water, so I can see how breastmilk would work (with the added boost of being good for the baby, the endorphin rush, and the comfort of having mom nearby).
yes! Hanmee, you are right. The pediatrician/mohelet that circumcised my son gave him sugar water (the whole thing was pretty unnerving) and encouraged me to nurse him immediately after. (She also prescribed lidocaine so he was pretty numb).
Just as Angela described, I wanted to nurse my son at his 2 month vaccination appointment and was warned of biting, so I didn’t nurse him. He didn’t even have teeth then. How bad could a ‘bite’ really have been?
lessons learned for future babies…