The most common position being taught in hospitals here seems to be the
clutch (football) hold.  This is what the midwives seem to prefer.  But ...
baby is usually placed too far forward with the result that the head is
markedly flexed upon latch.  Also the back of the baby's head is held in the
hand of the midwife/nurse - so naturally mothers also hold their babies that
way.  I find it difficult to position a baby really well in this position in
our hospital beds - especially if the mother is small.

Another favourite is to push the breast into the wide open mouth of a crying
newborn!

Pillows are frequently used (misused?).  Pillows can be useful to facilitate
the mother's comfort, but often they tend to dictate the baby's position,
that is, baby is placed on the pillow first (usually on his back) and mother
then leans into baby.  Needless to say nipple trauma is fairly common!

Diane's post re Correct Latch rings true.  We have learnt much over the
years.  As she says:  "It's humbling, confusing...and very exciting."  The
best teacher I have found is the baby - we just need to learn to interfere
less - starting with the birth process.....

Jean Ridler  RN  RM  IBCLC
Cape Town     South Africa
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