This discussion about touching has been fascinating to me. As a LLL Leader,
I did much of my early breastfeeding helping over the phone, so words were
all I had. Now I do many more home visits, but I still do more talking or
demonstrating than touching. My main reason for this is not so much concern
about being sued, but that I think it is very important for the mother to be
able to do it herself. Sure, I can probably latch her baby on - but once I
go home again, will she be able to do it? If I latch the baby on, and then
she struggles to do it herself and fails, will that make her feel worse
about her mothering abilities?

I wouldn't say I never touch a mother or her baby, though. I always ask
first, and I do the absolute minimum, always explaining what I am doing and
why because I want her to be able to do the same thing. I also will
demonstrate - without undressing - using my own body.

Yes, sometimes if I can help by getting the baby on so that mother and baby
can feel the way it's supposed to be, it's better to do so. But often I
think it's worth taking the time - and it does take more time, no question -
to talk and guide the mother through the process so that she can do it on
her own. I try, too, not to be giving directions, but to ask questions or
make suggestions along the lines of "The baby looks to me as though he's not
opening his mouth very wide. He might get more of the breast in his mouth if
you waited for him to open wider. Do you have a way to encourage him to open
his mouth?" And then I can suggest things that have worked for me or other
mothers.

Teresa Pitman
LLL Leader, Oakville, Ontario.