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  • Demonstration of how the gestalt method works with a breastfeeding mother and baby. Dr Pamela Douglas 2019
  • GESTALT INTERVENTION: Kirsty and 6-week-old Alva PART 2. Dr Pamela Douglas, F2F Nova Health Co. October 2023
  • Two videos of mothers breastfeeding in the side-lying position using the gestalt method
  • BREASTFEEDING TWINS: Family #2. Dr Pamela Douglas, F2F Nova Health Co. October 2023
  • BREASTFEEDING TWINS: Family #1. Dr Pamela Douglas, F2F Nova Health Co. October 2023

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  • PBL PSP Parent stories
  • S1: Breastfeeding
  • CH 3: Demonstrating the gestalt method of fit and hold

Demonstration of how the gestalt method works with a breastfeeding mother and baby. Dr Pamela Douglas 2019

Dr Pamela Douglas30th of Dec 202319th of Apr 2024

The gestalt method of fit and hold is only one part of the Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) or Possums breastfeeding programs (under development as Breastfeeding stripped bare), but an important place to start. This demonstration video of the gestalt method of fit and hold in a woman who did not report breastfeeding problems was made in 2019. I'm hoping that Breastfeeding stripped bare, the comprehensive NDC approach to breastfeeding and lactation, will be publicly available by the end of 2024. Key elements of the NDC breastfeeding work are also found in The discontented little baby book, and in my research publications, starting here.

Acknowledgements

I gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the mother who agreed to share her experience with her baby in this video, recorded in 2019, for the sake of helping others.

Selected references

Douglas PS, Keogh R. Gestalt breastfeeding: helping mothers and infants optimise positional stability and intra-oral breast tissue volume for effective, pain-free milk transfer. Journal of Human Lactation. 2017;33(3):509–518.

Douglas PS, Geddes DB. Practice-based interpretation of ultrasound studies leads the way to less pharmaceutical and surgical intervention for breastfeeding babies and more effective clinical support. Midwifery. 2018;58:145–155.

Douglas PS, Perrella SL, Geddes DT. A brief gestalt intervention changes ultrasound measures of tongue movement during breastfeeding: case series. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2022;22(1):94. DOI: 10.1186/s12884-12021-04363-12887.

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Next up in Demonstrating the gestalt method of fit and hold

GESTALT INTERVENTION: Kirsty and 6-week-old Alva PART 2. Dr Pamela Douglas, F2F Nova Health Co. October 2023

Kirsty is mother of a six week old Alva. Alva has had poor weight gain and fussy behaviour, and feeds both from the breast and the bottle with formula. Kirsty consults with Dr Pamela Douglas for a review at Nova Health Co, Wagga Wagga, Australia, October 2023. This is PART 2 of that consultation.

For PART 1, see here. Thanks to Kirsty for her great generosity to other breastfeeding women in agreeing to participate in this educational video.

The video below demonstrates:

  • Use of clinicians arm supporting forearm to give the mother the experience of micromovements, which helps her lay down the neural pathways for experimenting with tiny micromovements.

  • Symmetrical face-breast bury…

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