What would the legal position be if a baby was harmed in the US while separated from it's mother, other than at the mother's request? Would the hospital be liable? In the UK - at least in hospitals I am familiar, and certainly in the hospitals who have already achieved, or are working towards, UNICEF UK Baby Friendly status, well babies are with their mothers - period. When I had my first baby, (almost 17 now) the staff wanted to take him to a nursery. They said that was what happened for 4 hours after birth. When I questioned this, they said it was so they could wrap him up and place him beside a radiator to set. I was not impressed with separating mothers and babies then. I am not impressed now. Perhaps the switches and abductions will help people to question the existence of well baby nurseries. Mary Broadfoot, Paisley, Scotland [log in to unmask] The Breastfeeding Network - Independent Support and Information about Breastfeeding http://webzone1.co.uk/www/cathus/bfnindex.htm