> So, to get back to the question of smooshing: is it EVER
> acceptable to smoosh
> a baby onto the breast?

I understand the intent & action behind using the word "smoosh", but I think
I'm a little bit shocked and slightly offended each time I read this word in
Lactnet postings. "Smooshing" has, for me anyway, negative connotations of a
behavior rapidly performed in advance of either the baby or mother's
readiness to do so; it seems to me to be a tad on the paternalistic and
aggressive side of support. So, no, I think it is *never* acceptable to
"smoosh" a baby onto the breast. Guide, yes, hug into, yes, cuddle, yes,
smoosh, never.

It reminds me of years ago when I heard a presentation on "R.A.M." the baby
onto the breast (R.A.M. = Rapid Arm Movement). I thought it pretty neat and
certainly descriptive and started using it in my consultations. Until one
day when I said it to a mother at a private consult in her home whose
response to me was "I will NOT RAM my baby anywhere! I would rather formula
feed than do anything so abusive to my baby!"

Her point was that the *word* "R.A.M." is a word usually associated with
abuse, no matter how it was defined, and she did not want to set up in her
thinking even slightly abusive associations with breastfeeding. She said she
had been abused as a child and was not ever going to do or think anything
remotely associated with violence toward her baby.

In fact, she actually threw me out of her home at that point. End of
consult.

(I did not charge her for the visit ;-/  In fact, I felt as if I should have
paid HER for one of the most valuable lessons of my career.)

Dr. Brazelton acknowledges that our society today is far too replete with
violence and we must diligently guard against the smallest indication of it
in regards to our children. I have to agree with him. Neuro-linguistic
programming - or the Confidence Game or Psyching Oneself Up or rhema power
or however you want to phrase it - is well-known to be a significant part of
behavior. What we name things has great ramifications for behavior.

Could it be that "smooshing" is in fact undermining efforts and possible
success?

Just a thought.

Katharine West, MPH, MSN, RN
Sherman Oaks, CA

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