Libby,
I do believe that this is probably an ongoing thing and psychologically based. Assuming this mom expressed a desire to bf (which you didn't mention in your posting) I would refer her on to seek professional help. But I would definitely tell her that she could try (I don't know what she did til now in the shower!) to improve contact by her usual hygenic routine - i.e. showering, bathing, soaping (excluding the nipple area) to see if she could get comfortable with that. Lots of support and understanding.
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