Description
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Sometimes there are challenges for lactation therapists that can't be completely resolved by current lactation practices - when the baby has reflux or torticollis, when mother and baby are injured or in pain, when the mother can't relax enough to sleep, when weeks of pumping erode the mother's energy to the point she wants to quit breastfeeding. In Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding Therapy, author Nikki Lee describes mother-baby situations that benefit from complementary and alternative therapy techniques in order to have a thriving baby and a happy mother, with an abundant milk supply and easy breastfeeding. In her experience, complementary therapies, when used in conjunction with proven breastfeeding management, do no harm and usually help mother and baby.
Therapies covered include:
- Creating a healing environment
- Skin-to-skin and massage
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic
- Craniosacral therapy
- Remedial co-bathing
- Homeopathy
This book is not an instruction manual. It is an open door to the world of other ways of healing. Some or all of these therapies may be gentle and helpful additions to your lactation toolbox.
Author: Nikki Lee, RN, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CST (Appl. Cert.)
ISBN: 978-0-9833075-5-6
Copyright: 2011
Total Pages: 176
Paperback |
Reviews
| by Alicia Ingram |
Date Added: Friday 30 September, 2011 |
ILCA Print and Multimedia Reviews
October 2011 – Available at www.ILCA.org
Complementary & Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding Therapy
Nikki Lee, RN, CST, IBCLC
Hale Publishing, 2011
173 pages, (US)$19.95, index, softcover
Orders: Hale Publishing, LP, 1712 N Forest Street, Amarillo, TX 79106 USA
Tel: toll free 800-378-1317 or 806-376-9900; fax: 806-376-9901; URL: www.ibreastfeeding.com
In a world replete with advanced technology, the skills of lactation consultants or therapists, as the author prefers, are often challenged by the physical and emotional fallout of modern birthing practices and inadequate support systems for new mothers. Nikki Lee is a pioneer in the field of lactation with 35 years of acquired wisdom, keen insights and unique clinical skills based on healing “soft techniques.”
Before providing details about specific complementary and alternative methods (CAMs), Ms. Lee carefully outlines the five types of CAM and explains the history and politics of CAM in the western world. Her book covers her experience of practices from four of these categories: manipulative/ body-based, mind-body-based, whole medical systems and energetic medicines. Not covered are biologically based practices such as herbs and dietary manipulation.
Ms. Lee’s choice of the term lactation therapist is not accidental as she works from a paradigm of bringing healing to mothers and babies through whatever modality seems most suited. The reader is coached in how to create a healing environment that will optimize the mother and baby’s ability to joyfully connect and rehabilitate breastfeeding. In an increasingly medicalized world, her impassioned plea for holistic care of the mother-baby dyad is a reminder that skilled helping is much more than book knowledge, high-tech aides and quantifiable research.
Much of Ms. Lee’s work centers on the healing power of touch. Skin-to-skin care, massage for mother and baby, acupuncture, chiropractics, craniosacral therapy and remedial co-bathing are all
discussed under the banner of touch, with homeopathy as the sole non-touch CAM. The philosophy, rationale, and available evidence for each modality are provided. The author is upfront about the fact that much available evidence falls low on the totem pole for CAM therapies,
explaining the shortcomings of western research in analyzing CAMs that are individual-oriented.
Compelling cases are shared from her personal experience of each modality.
It is a sad commentary of our world today that skin-to-skin would be included in a book on complementary therapies, highlighting that this biologically normal human behavior is no longer common to the point of being relegated to the “exotic” world of “optional” alternative therapies.
This book needed to be written and is an important addition to mother-care literature.
Lisa Marasco, MA, IBCLC
Santa Maria, California USA..
Rating:  [5 of 5 Stars] |
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| by Alicia Ingram |
Date Added: Wednesday 07 December, 2011 |
Dear Nikki Lee,
I received your COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN BREASTFEEDING THERAPY. It is a beautiful book and is an important addition to the field of integrative medicine that has been sadly lacking. Congratulations on your achievement, and for bringing your wisdom to the world of healing.
Yours sincerely,
Larry Dossey, MD
Executive Editor: Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing..
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars] |
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| by Alicia Ingram |
Date Added: Tuesday 02 August, 2011 |
Quote from a handwritten note from Dr. Christiane Northrup:
Dear Nikki:
Your book Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding Therapy is a gem. I love how beautifully it's researched. Great index too. Nice work!!
(signed) Christiane...
Rating: [5 of 5 Stars] |
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