Fiona:
I think a lot depends on the state of the mother/baby when you are seeing
them.
The new mother ( day 1,2) may be in a good place to "try" one idea and then
refine it or try another.
The mother who has a 2,3,4, week old, is tired sore, stressed and feeling
like a failure may be fbetter served with a hands on to "see/feel" a good
latch and feed. After you can talk about they whys and wherefores and have her
latch the second side.
Patricia