>
>I do have one concern, however.  The immediate newborn care I watched at all
>three hospitals (including my own) was very rough, with aggressive suctioning,
>rubbing with drying, etc.  Not one infant at any of the three hospitals was
>put directly to the breast!!!


Our experience here is that skin-to-skin contact after birth has to
be a documentable, routine, if-it-doesn't-happen-say-why-not
action...or it just doesn't happen.

Even in units where they are trying to be Baby Friendly, even in
units where they accept it is a Good Idea, even when mothers have it
written in the birth plan....if it's not down as policy and monitored
and checked, with staff called to account if it's not there on the
notes as having taken place,  it doesn't happen.

What happens instead is all the other stuff like weighing and Apgars
(fortunately not suctioning - we don't do that) which *is* written
down gets done.

No surprises, really.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, UK

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