Virginia, funny u mention this.  When I had my first child, my mother-in-law at the time was extremely anxious/non-supportive about me breastfeeding.  It wasn't until she told her story that I understood and could be empathetic towards her instead of angry.
When she had my ex- husband, they lived with her in laws.  She became severely engorged and subsequently developed mastitis.  Her mother-in-law sucked her breast in order to "remove the poison".  Obviously, she had either done this before or seen it done.  Well my ex- MIL is very modest and  was so ashamed and humiliated to even tell the story I could only imagine how she felt at that time.  After that she stopped breastfeeding. 
My heart went out to her.
Her fear was truly for me.  When I started nursing that painful memory came flooding back to her like it was yesterday.
I commonly tell my clients that the way women react/respond/treat them has all to do with that woman's past experience -good or bad.  Those memories run long and deep -to the very core of who we are.  Understanding that concept helps us to be more tolerant and empathetic - instead of taking it personally.  When someone reacts negatively -first thing to do is ask them to tell me their story. That usually explains everything. 

Maria Parlapiano RN IBCLC
Chatham, NJ

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome