I just wanted to write and thank you for publishing the article "The Nurse as Attacher" by Donna Karl et al. (MCN, 31[4], 2006). I enjoyed reading the article very much. This whole topic is very important. I have long believed in the role of the midwife and the postpartum nurse in instigating attachment between the baby and the mother, and of course the rest of the family.

I have been teaching a 20-hr breastfeeding class for our nurses for the past 6 years, and talking to them about their role in attachment has always been part of my curriculum. I have not read such clear information before reading this article. I have heard Dr. Klaus speak and read his book, but I did not know how to divide the role of the nurse into the doer, teacher, and attacher before. I will find that very useful in my class.

I think it is also important to encourage bonding with the father of the baby, because in many cases, child neglect and abuse are done by the father. I believe that is partly because the father has not bonded with the infant.

Thank you so much.

Ann M. Calandro, BSN, RNC, IBCLC