Jennifer Tieman wrote, in connection with comforting mothers struggling at
the start:
"I remind them that the baby has never done this before, and while most
babies have good natural instincts, some need some help to learn how to
nurse."

Warning: this may not be culturally appropriate everywhere, but goes over
well here.  I've started comparing breastfeeding for the first time, with
two virgins making love.  I doubt that many people have their most
skillfully executed, effective, satisfying sexual experience the first time.
Special, sure.  But supreme, with fireworks and music and total perfection?
I don't think so!
Still, not many people quit after one try, no matter how clumsy it was.  We
seem to have an instinct to persist, like we know there has to be more to it
than that first time would suggest.

I suppose I should say here, just for the record, that I am in no way
suggesting that breastfeeding implies an erotic sexual relationship between
baby and mother.  But breastfeeding strikes me as more comparable to
lovemaking than to bicycle riding or, say, roller skating, other physical
tasks requiring practice before they get good or fun.  I like dancing
analogies too, but there are a lot of people who don't dance, and fewer who
categorically don't have sex.

Rachel Myr

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

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html