The mother who felt violated by the nurse's rough handling of her breasts 
should -- without question -- send a letter (in the real, U.S. mail -- not 
e-mail) to the head of the Maternity Dept. (whatever it is called), the head 
of Patient Services (whomever that is) and to both her own pediatrician and 
obstetrician.

I am working with a mother right now who had failed lactation with #1 for no 
other reason than brusque care from scare-mongering staff at the hospital.  
By the time she got home her confidence was shot, her baby was jaundiced, 
and -- despite urging by DH to contact an IBCLC -- she didn't do so because 
she "didn't want to pay someone else to tell me all the things I was doing 
wrong."

The scenaro so bothered and haunted Mom that *eleven months later* she wrote 
a letter describing her story ... letting her description of events speak 
for themsevles. She wanted the staff to realize the impact their words and 
manners have on a vulnerable first-time mother.  (Remember Linda Smith's 
ILCA 2004 presentation, citing a study that says women can recount their 
birth experiences to the minutest detail, even decades later?)

WELL.  The VP for Patient Services called her to say meetings were underway, 
staff in-services  were being held, and policies were being shifted.  This 
Mom managed to really rattle the cage -- and all through a simple, 
articulate letter.

If nothing else, it will make the rough-handled mom feel empowered and 
relieved to express her anger in a letter.

Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC
Wyndmoor, PA, USA

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