Chris made the following statements & all I can say is YES, YES, YES & YES! 
(well, I did add a few comments in parentheses)

 First, many c/section moms ARE fully able and willing to nurse their babies 
on the delivery table. . . . (or in recovery room)  Having a third arm helps 
too (dad, grandma, nurse, etc. I've seen moms sleep during baby's feeding)
My firm belief is that adding technologic gadgetry--including
the world's best breast pump--can undermine a mother's self-confidence in
her ability to bf.  Most mothers I've seen pumping in the first 48 hours
will cry because they can't get what they perceive to be a normal amount of
"milk" or even colostrum. . . .
In these cases, I see it as far better to tuck that baby in with mom skin to 
skin
with someone in attendance to help her and make sure things are okay.  Let
them both sleep and in a few hours try again.  (works beautifully)
If we really need to pump colostrum, I am very much in favor of having
all moms taught the Marmet technique of hand expressing to help them become
more comfortable with their breasts and with manipulating their breast
tissue.  I had found that very few moms can "naturally" do this and pictures
don't seem to help much.  I actually have to show the mom on her own breast. 
(I did this several times this week with new moms--it seems that I do this on 
a regular basis. They are all so worried that they don't see anything and a 
few drops of colostrum can really get a baby interested in the breast)

Laura Hart
Winter Park, FL

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