To: Tineke van de merwe
From: Janet Thurston, RNC

You requested comments on teaching breastfeeding to teens. In regards to
your questions - 1)What teaching strategies?  Peer groups work well.
Incorporating breastfeeding education into teen lamaze is good, in which
case the standards in class size etc, is no more than 10 couples (Humenick,
Childbirth Education: Research, Practice, Theory).  Number of meetings and
length of sessions?  See this resource as well.  "Crash courses" are getting
more popular, but needs of teens are best met by longer courses.  Our local
teen lamaze class is 8 weeks long, meets from 3pm to 5pm and the teens get
transportation to and from class via the school.  And don't forget LOTS of
SNACKS!!!
2) Outstanding teaching tools to enhance learning.  Childbirth graphics has
excellent products, videos by Kitty Frantz.  Of particular relevance to
teens, is the materials produced by Best Start, Carol Bryant: (800)277-4975
based in Tampa Florida.  She did research on barriers to breastfeeding and
then developed a plethora of teaching tools, videos etc.  I highly recommend
that you obtain the surgeon general workshop and follow up reports from
(703)821-8955 ext 254.  Also, contact your local WIC Program.  Also see
Riordan and Auerbachs "Breastfeeding and Human Lactation".  I really like
the concept of having a home made cookie with a store bought one, have your
clients take one bite of each and then decide which is better- (home made!)
then relate it to breastfeeding, why baby would prefer mom breastfeeds.  Its
a nice ice breaker and its CHEAP. 3) Quality of education supplied by 800
numbers?  Its not really education, its direct marketing of formula.