Teresa, you said:  I've also been in hospital rooms where a nurse comes in,
glances quickly
at the baby and breast and says "the latch is fine" and is out of the room
again. And the baby's mouth is barely covering the nipple!

As a volunteer Breastfeeding Supporter I am no stranger to this, although
usually I am at the end of the phone trying to see if, in my mind, it is a
good idea for me to offer to visit the woman.

I have started asking 'Has anyone sat with you and watched you feed from the
time the baby comes to the breast until she is finished?'  Since, so far, no
one has said yes, this covers me as I can then explain that the feeding can
look different at different points.  It also suggests that that is what I
might do if I come, and since I do usually stay for that sort of time, thats
ok.

After all, although the identified concern is with the physical skills of
latching, the qualitative work done with women suggests that they yearn for
an apprenticeship model (Hoddinott's term) in learning about feeding their
babies.  Sitting with a mother for some time while she is with her baby and
while she feeds her baby is an attempt to provide the 'feel' of that syle of
working.  I don't know how that translates to a paid consult -- because
there are no LCs in paid practice in this region that I know of.

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK

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