Carol Ann Friedman, R. N., Certified Lactation Consultant, is a practicing lactation consultant in Pasadena, California. She is the founder and owner of Mother and Me, a small chain of maternity and nursing retail stores and breastfeeding centers that provide services to breastfeeding mothers. Mother and Me provides lactation support programs for numerous major corporations nationwide.

Q: Is it true that having other people hold your newborn can inhibit the success of breastfeeding?

A: To date, there is no scientific evidence that supports the theory that having others hold your baby will cause confusion about breastfeeding. Babies are so attached to their mother's touch, smell, and voice, which is part of a unique relationship known as maternal-infant bond. The bond is so special that studies have shown if you were to take a group of moms and place their babies in the next room, each of the mothers would be able to distinguish their own baby's cry from the others.