The nipple rape posts are a perfect lead-in to my request for help. I am a 
LLL Leader, doula and birth assistant as well as an apprentice midwife in 
the DC metro area. I’ve had the opportunity to be with mamas in hospitals, 
birth centers and at home. I am present for the first latch and for those in 
the first few hours /days of life. I am very interested in the dynamics of 
the first latch and those that occur in the first few hours after birth.

I was asked to speak to a doula group about what they can do to promote a 
“good” first latch experience for both mama and baby. Many of these doulas 
have had no experience with breastfeeding other than their own. I have heard 
feedback from many mamas about how they were very surprised at how roughly 
their breasts were treated by their trusted midwives and other birth 
workers. I want to educate the doulas on how they can help their clients 
both before and after birth with latch.

I was wondering if there was a teaching module that explains how to promote 
a positive first latch, while also addressing fairly current topics such as 
those mentioned in previous posts here: breast aversion due to perceived or 
genuine assault, by baby, the statistics that say that one in five women 
have experienced some kind of verbal or physical abuse (Penny Simkin) and 
phrases mamas can use to prevent injury by birth workers.

I can report from personal experience as a birth worker that indeed every 
fifth or sixth client you see will statistically have had an abusive event 
in her history. It manifests itself almost always, in many ways subtle and 
not so, during labor and birth.  There is a great book about this subject by 
Penny Simkin called, “When Survivors Give Birth”. Unfortunately it ends with 
birth and doesn’t delve into the realm of breastfeeding and the abuse 
survivor.  This is the book, thesis, guidance I’m looking for. I can make it 
up, but was wondering if there was anything out there to teach birth workers 
who know very little about lactation how to help.

I treat all my various clients as if they have survived some abuse. It seems 
a bit jaded, but one in five is a high percentage and it’s a reality.

Thanks,
Kelly Valceanu, MA, AAHCC, CD(DONA), LLL Leader, apprentice midwife, mama to 
two boys

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