Hi, All:  I was able to download the intervention article thru our hospital's 
library system and out of curiosity, starting looking thru back issues.  There is 
a VERY interesting article in the July/August 2006 issue of MCN Vol. 31, Issue 
4, 257-262 titled:  "Reconceptualizing the Nurse's Role in the Newborn Period 
as an Attacher."  The authors describe 3 Nursing Roles:  The Doer, The 
Teacher, and The Attacher.  The nurse who tends towards the "Doer" role will 
typically tell a mother whose baby is crying:  "I'll take him to the nursery and 
give him some formula so that you can get some sleep".  The nurse who tends 
towards the "Teacher" role will say:  "I'll go over brstfdg with you so you can 
get him latched.  I know you are tired, but you'll feel better.  I'll make sure you 
know how to do it before you go home."  The "Attacher"  tends to 
say:  "These 1st few days can be difficult.  How do you usually try to calm 
him?  Picking him up usually works?  Good.  Here is something else you can 
try.  He's quiet now and making sucking motions.  You think he's hungry?  I 
think you are right.  I know you are tired.  Would you like to try nursing lying 
down?"  The Attacher nurse constantly validates the mother's feelings and 
approaches the mother/baby in such a way that she empowers the mother, 
rather than taking over and doing for the mother.  She helps the mother form 
appropriate attachment to her baby.
I think we all need to ask ourselves:  "Am I a Doer, Teacher, or Attacher?


Pam Hirsch, BSN,RN,IBCLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL  USA

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