This is an example of problems caused by the Cross Cradle Hold and how pillows do not solve the problems.
Jackie:
-first baby
-using Cross Cradle Hold caused problems
-breastfeeding pillow was not the answer
-changing to Cradle Hold Position solved problems
The Cradle Hold Position is effective and comfortable.
'After dealing with problems from the Cross Cradle Hold and studying the use of breastfeeding pillows, I have some information I would like to share.
I was once told that there is nothing new in breastfeeding that a mother needs to learn in order to breastfeed successfully.
If that is in fact true, then one might wonder why the Cross Cradle Hold is being taught in the United States as the newest and latest thing in breastfeeding.
I have come to the conclusion that part of the reason that this hold has come into vogue in the US, is due to the introduction of breastfeeding pillows in the practice of nursing a baby.
I believe the use of special breastfeeding pillows while nursing is an unnecessary complication, which fosters and perpetuates the use of the Cross Cradle Hold and ultimately results in many failed lactation efforts.
I was taught to breastfeed in a prominent Chicago teaching hospital upon the birth of my first child. One of the aspects of that process that I found most confounding and frustrating, was being told by the lactation consultant that I needed half a dozen pillows in order to successfully breastfeed.
I recoiled at the idea that I could not breastfeed without incorporating so many pillows into the process - how did cavewomen ever manage without so much as a single pillow?
Nevertheless, because the lactation consultant was an expert, I took her advice and began using numerous pillows each time I nursed my baby.
What I found is that when I used pillows to support my breastfeeding, I could fairly easily use the Cross Cradle Hold because all I had to do was place the baby on the pillow, let go of his head, support my breast, and voila, the baby was nursing.
The problems began when I started going out with the baby, without the pillow, and found that he was refusing to nurse in the Cross Cradle Hold.
Then, of course, I was bearing his full weight in my arms rather than supporting him with the pillows, and I was forced to hold the back of his head with my hand (which I didn’t have to do when he was being supported by the pillows).
After numerous attempts to nurse without the pillow I called (La Leche League) in desperation, convinced that my baby was unhappy with my milk for some reason and was weaning himself.
I was fortunate in having done so because I was taught to switch to
the Cradle Hold, at which point my baby was happily nursing once again
(only this time, without pillows).
I don’t know what your position is on the use of (special breastfeeding) pillows in nursing, but I have come to the conclusion that I oppose it. I think that it generally causes more problems than it solves for a variety of reasons.
For one thing, it doesn’t seem to allow your arm muscles to develop to the point where you can nurse a growing baby outside the home without a supporting pillow.
Second, the hold seems dependent on pillows because the baby seems to not enjoy having the back of his head held while he nurses. I found that I was effectively a "prisoner to the pillow".
Claudia's note: holding the back of baby's head while nursing in the
Cross Cradle Hold triggers the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR).
What I have discovered since switching to the Cradle Hold is that a
nursing pillow is not nearly as useful for the Cradle Hold as it
was for the Cross Cradle Hold.
Since using the Cradle Hold exclusively, I found that I have no need for or desire to use a nursing pillow.
I don’t know the history of nursing in this country, but I do know about
nursing in portions of Europe where my mother and I originated.
In Montenegro, where we are from, women are taught to nurse in
both the Cradle Hold and while Lying Down - each position without
the crutch of any pillows whatsoever.
Women from that part of the world are not generally taught the
Cross Cradle Hold and do not, in my experience, generally use it.
I suspect that the Cross Cradle Hold became popular in the US when American women started being taught to incorporate pillows in nursing. This appears to be supported by the fact that almost every lactating woman in the US owns a breastfeeding pillow.
In conclusion, I believe the use of special breastfeeding pillows in nursing is not only unnecessary but may also be detrimental to the nursing process - first because you become dependent on them and second because they encourage the use of the Cross Cradle Hold.’
Claudia’s note: sales of breastfeeding pillows skyrocketed when the
Cross Cradle Hold started being taught.