Diane asked "What are some of your tenets?" What a fabulous question! I hope to hear many responses, because I think this could be very educational. Other than Diane's own tenets which I also follow, I would add that I endeavor to TEACH a mother the skills she needs so that she can breastfeed her baby successfully once she goes home, or once I leave her home. For me, that means "hands off!" I rarely touch a mother's breasts in my consultations with her. If I feel I must touch her (I will help to get baby's hands out of the way and will teach her how to ask for help from a third party for just such a thing), I ask permission first, and then I explain exactly what I am doing and why. Though this may be unconventional, and to some even questionable, I prefer to touch my own breasts (clothed) when demonstrating common techniques such as breast compression, hand expression, latch and positioning. I find, hands down (pun intended!!), demonstrating on my body so that the mother can SEE what I do and then mimick it, is the best tool and the most helpful. I have used knitted breasts, balloons, dolls, etc. I find NOTHING more effective than simply *modelling* the behaviour or technique. This tenet was borne out the countless times I have heard "But, the nurse got her latched on!", or "it worked at the clinic!" And, I will be honest. Sometimes, it's HARD to avoid "rushing" in and "helping" the mom get the baby on. Sometimes I have to sit on my hands and talk her through the process two, three, four times. But in the end, it works, and I know that she has *learned*. *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R). There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html