Recently, I was trained in the use of the NCAST Feeding and Teaching Scales. Despite being a nurse, LC and mother of 4 breastfed children, I was amazed at how much I did not know about infant state regulation and non-verbal communication. Having this new knowledge has proved quite useful when assisting breastfeeding mothers. I now spend time teaching moms about their infant's cues, and they are delighted. I think of all those babies I've worked with over the years who are refusing the breast. When watching moms you can identify those that in their eagerness to have the baby attach and do well, have pushed too hard instead of listening to the infant. Now we have a situation where the baby arches away from the breast and screams, or completely shuts down. I wonder how many of these problems could have been avoided by educating mothers and staff nurses about infant state, engaging and disengaging infant cues. If you'd like more information re: the NCAST tools or the video series "Keys to Caregiving" contact [log in to unmask] An excellent speaker from this program is Anita Spietz,RN,MN. She can be reached at [log in to unmask] Phone # (206)543-8528.