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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

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

Dr Pamela Douglas23rd of Dec 202318th of Jan 2024

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 from lateral view

  • Angle control with micromovements

  • In the first part of the video below, and also towards the end, Alva's nose is burying in and obstructing her breathing so that she tends to pull back every now and then to breathe. I didn't pick up the sound of her breath obstructing (although it's important to always be listening to the baby's breathing), and I also didn't have access to the lateral view which the midwife Amy was taking on video. Usually I'd check to make sure that obstruction of the nostrils was not the reason for some pulling back.

After working together on the gestalt method, little Alva settles into an enjoyable feed. The video below shows a stable fit and hold from the three views

  • Mother's view looking down or clinician's view from above
  • Lateral view (accessible to clinician only)
  • Front on view (accessible to clinician only).

The video below shows a view from above (the mother's view looking down). You'll notice

  • Baby is dialled down

  • Nostrils no longer obstructing but touching breast lightly

  • Lips not visible

  • Some swallowing but Alva is now very relaxed and drowsing. (What matters is that both mother and baby are having an enjoyable, stable, painfree breastfeeding experience, as they experiment with a new approach to fit and hold.)

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Next up in Demonstrating the gestalt method of fit and hold

Two videos of mothers breastfeeding in the side-lying position using the gestalt method

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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 version of the gestalt method of fit and hold for breastfeeding women has been available since 2016. 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.

The baby in the photo above seems to be breastfeeding happily. If there…

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