I've worked out a simple protocol based on ABC. Like Basic Life Support, the steps are sequential. A stands for Access - getting or keeping the mother and baby together. B stands for Breastmilk transfer - the infant's ability to get milk from mother. Like in the obstructed airway sequence, if you can't get B happening directly, then make it happen indirectly pump & cupfeed, etc) until you can get it going naturally. C stands for Comfort - the mother's comfortable breasts. If the breasts hurt, either B (breastmilk transfer) is not happening correctly, or there is a breast problem that needs fixing immediately before mom gives up on B entirely. Of course there are lots more details to this. The basic concept seems to be useful. Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre www.bflrc.com 6540 Cedarview Ct., Dayton, OH 45459-1214 USA (937) 438-9458 email [log in to unmask] *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html