>Any ideas how our hospital can get mothers to keep their babies all night
>with them to nurse them on demand?

Don't give them any options.  Don't have a nursery.  Don't give a mom labor
drugs that interfere with breastfeeding or make her weird (demerol).  Don't
suction without medical necessity.  Don't give the baby anything by mouth --
no bottles, no pacifiers, no fingers.  Don't wash the baby.  Don't wrap the
baby up like a burrito -- put it skin to skin with mom.  Don't allow
visitors except immediate family (mother's own parents, siblings of the new
baby).

Do explain to moms on their hospital tour, and again on admission, that THEY
are responsible for the care of their babies once they are born.  Explain to
them that they need to nurse the babies very very often during that first 24
hours.  Have an IBCLC on duty 24 hours a day to help moms with breastfeeding
difficulties.  Have doula-type people available to run errands, hold baby
while mom gets positioned, or goes to the bathroom, etc., if mom has no one
to stay with her.

I know, I know.  I live in a dream world.

Kathy Dettwyler

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