Sometimes I think it is helpful to be very hands on, if the mom is  
just at her wit's end and cannot process verbal instructions.  I ask  
her if she would like me to try to get the baby on "comfortably," and  
then if I am able to do this, I walk her through what I did  
verbally.  She is usually so amazed that pain-free nursing is  
possible, that she is all ears about how I did it.  Whereas if I just  
came at her with a bunch of verbal instructions, she may feel that I  
am just another person telling her she is doing it wrong and giving  
lots of advice that is too confusing to process.  At this point, I  
will ask her if she would like to take the baby off the breast and  
try to get a comfortable latch herself, and I will help her only if  
she needs it, usually by shadowing her hands.

I think moms can learn a lot about good latching by feeling a good  
latch, and seeing how baby is positioned in the optimal way.  Then  
they can practice doing it themselves with this model in mind.

With other moms who seem a lot more comfortable and adept at handling  
their babies, I am way more hands-off.  I think there is a place for  
both methods, depending on what the situation requires.

Warmly,
Lynnette Hafken, MA, LLLL, IBCLC

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