I realized the other morning that I grab my boobs A LOT. In a given day, I'd say probably ten or more times. But before you think I'm a weirdo, let me explain:
I spend the majority of my time checking on the low birth weight or septic babies. How are they doing? How can we help them survive and thrive? And - most importantly: How are they breastfeeding? In a world where malnutrition is a serious source of mortality in children under 5, breast feeding well shortly after birth is the only way to guarantee any chance of survival for infants. I have to assess and help quickly if the baby is to stay alive.
This is where the boob grabbing comes into play. "Ok. Good momma. Can you please show me (grabs breast) how you feed your baby?" I obviously don't speak the same language as the vast majority of the mothers and I cannot always get a translator to help me with my rounds. So I resort to the universal language of grunts and hand gestures. Grabbing my own breast and holding it like I'm about to feed a baby seems to be the best way to communicate my questions to the mother. It definitely seems to get the point across. If that doesn't work, I have been known in the appropriate context to reach into the mother's blouse, remove her breast, and put the nipple in the baby's mouth. Only in extreme circumstances, of course. Usually they get it right away. When they complain of not having enough milk, I often give their breasts a squeeze to express the milk and show them it's there. In this culture, breasts are completely utilitarian and not considered sexual objects. Women often are topless as is the norm in the villages and out in the bush. It's not unusual for me to walk into the ward and see all the mothers shirtless. Breasts serve one purpose - feeding babies. My job: make sure those breasts are doing their job.
I never thought in a million years, I would become a sort of African lactation consultant, but that is one of my many roles here. Honestly, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I just hope no one snaps a picture of me pantomiming feeding a baby with my boob in my hand. It would look a little strange.
I spend the majority of my time checking on the low birth weight or septic babies. How are they doing? How can we help them survive and thrive? And - most importantly: How are they breastfeeding? In a world where malnutrition is a serious source of mortality in children under 5, breast feeding well shortly after birth is the only way to guarantee any chance of survival for infants. I have to assess and help quickly if the baby is to stay alive.
This is where the boob grabbing comes into play. "Ok. Good momma. Can you please show me (grabs breast) how you feed your baby?" I obviously don't speak the same language as the vast majority of the mothers and I cannot always get a translator to help me with my rounds. So I resort to the universal language of grunts and hand gestures. Grabbing my own breast and holding it like I'm about to feed a baby seems to be the best way to communicate my questions to the mother. It definitely seems to get the point across. If that doesn't work, I have been known in the appropriate context to reach into the mother's blouse, remove her breast, and put the nipple in the baby's mouth. Only in extreme circumstances, of course. Usually they get it right away. When they complain of not having enough milk, I often give their breasts a squeeze to express the milk and show them it's there. In this culture, breasts are completely utilitarian and not considered sexual objects. Women often are topless as is the norm in the villages and out in the bush. It's not unusual for me to walk into the ward and see all the mothers shirtless. Breasts serve one purpose - feeding babies. My job: make sure those breasts are doing their job.
I never thought in a million years, I would become a sort of African lactation consultant, but that is one of my many roles here. Honestly, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. I just hope no one snaps a picture of me pantomiming feeding a baby with my boob in my hand. It would look a little strange.
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