Terri writes: "My feeling is that we need to teach the parents
how to deal with a fussy newborn who is trying to adjust to life on this
new planet. "

There's something in that, of course,  plus the important
confidence-boosting issue of letting the mothers know they *can* do it,
with support and love.

But more importantly, and here's something that is likely to be more
persuasive to your colleagues, who after all, only want to help the
mothers,  is the simple, elegant fact that

****rooming-in has been shown to increase the success of breastfeeding****

There are numerous studies on this, and its 'sister essential',
***unrestricted breastfeeding*** which of course is a whole lot easier if
the babies aren't in the nursery.

Worldwide, experience is showing that an important factor in challenging
and changing practice is to have a proper policy, discussed and understood
by everyone who comes in contact with the mothers.  It would be nice if
they all supported it, too, but that comes later for a lot of units.  The
policy must be vigorously policed and audited, and staff who don't follow
it have to say why - and (this is very unlike liberal ol' me!) if
necessary, be disclipined.

You also have to get rid of your nurseries, as we have done in the UK
(mostly). They can be broom cupboards, day rooms, offices...and when new
units are built, there's no need to build a nursery.  Here, no one misses
nurserys. We have truly forgotten about them...shazzam! Away like a bad
dream : )

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK