Pam writes:

that  positive touching can be taught
and that you don't stop touching.   



On the surface, I think most would agree with that statement.  Another  
poster mentioned, somewhat in passing, that we obtain permission before  touching.  
I'd like to underscore that point, as I believe it is crucial  for the woman 
who has sexual trauma in her past.
 
One of the things that makes the trauma so horrific is the total stripping  
of power from the victim.  One of the things that helps move a person from  
"victim" to "survivor" is to restore the restoration of control in her  life.  
When we ask permission to touch her breast, hug her, place her baby  on her 
chest, or whatever, we reinstate power.  We also offer respect and  confidence in 
her power.
 
When we try to short-circuit that, even with the good intentions of  
providing healing touch, the potential to do further damage is real.  Not  all people 
would experience the difficulties of the boy we heard about, but some  would.  
Remembering that this is the *mother's* experience and not  ours, when we 
behave in a gentle, respectful manner towards our  clients/patients as the vast 
majority of lactation specialists have a natural  tendency to do, we are at our 
best--for them and for us.
 
Back to lurking,
Nancy Williams, MA, MFT, IBCLC, CCE

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