I absolutely and totally agree with your maxim, Cathy, 'don't fight
with the baby'. I see the results of this very often - had a call
this very morning via our new NCT breastfeeding helpline - hurrah!
for details see separate post - from a mother, pregnant with baby No.
2,  who was so *scared* of breastfeeding again, or trying to, and yet
wanted to so very badly. Her description of how she had been helped
(NOT) to bf was awful ' they squeezed my nipple, and then grabbed the
baby's head and rammed him on'.

This sorta thing is a double whammy - disempower the mother so she
feels humiliated and invaded, *and* make the baby struggle and writhe
and turn off bf.

Just occasionally, they manage to get some sort of latch, I suppose,
but even when it is 'successful' once it can have a rebound effect
the next feed, or the next day.

This mother was discharged from the hospital (partially)
breastfeeding, but gave up as soon as she got home as she was so
upset.

The original question is how can HPs learn not to be so hands on.
There is a programme for midwives about episiotomy called HOOP (Hands
Off Hands Poised) and one of my own colleagues has been helping to
develop a programme directed at bf support for midwives, which will
focus on Hands Off but is also stressing the need for words,
encouragement and support, alongside the Hands Off. I have a feeling
it is still under wraps so I can't say more yet.

But it is a real *training* issue - telling carers not to do it won't
be enough.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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