Temple you posted asking:  "I personally feel that a baby should go directly
from birth to =
breast without separation and without hesitation (in other words, =
immediately) unless some emergent situation dictates otherwise."

Not only do *you* feel that way, but the WHO/Unicef Baby Friendly Hospital
Initiative agrees.  This practice to "help mothers initiate breastfeeding within
half-an-hour of birth" -- which includes the pre-feeding behaviours you describe
-- is Step 4 of the "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding".

In 1998 The Division of Child Health and Development of WHO in Geneva produce a
booklet "Evidence for the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding".  This lays
down clearly not only the thinking around each step, as it has evolved up to
1998, but includes all the research evidence for the validity of each step.  It
makes riveting reading and provides a wealth of "ammunition"  -- should you need
such a thing!!

Just because your facility is not 'going for' Baby Friendly does not mean they
can afford to ignore the steps.  The Ten Steps "summarize the maternity
practices necessary to support breastfeeding".  I highly recommend this
document, which I got in the UK from the BFI office -- they imported a bulk
load.  Anyone know where to obtain in other countries?

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter
The Breastfeeding Network,UK