I have been teaching bf classes for 10 years now, and I have really
changed some of my approaches over the years.  One of the things
that I am very up-front about now, as opposed to the "rose-colored
glasses" routine the first few years, is the true reality of
breastfeeding and childcare in general.  I try to make many of the
points that Kathy has made about what is normal for babies as
opposed to what we expect or want them to do.  I tell them that
they can try to mess around with things as much as they like -
forced sleep, schedules, supplementation - but very often there will
be a price to be paid and that babies that resist such
manipulations are not "bad" but simply responding in a way that is
normal and human.  It is really neat to see the little light bulbs go
off and the heads nodding (of course there are always the few that
think it is complete rubbish which usually means they won't be
breastfeeding for long if at all).

Which is not to say that we cannot empathize with moms dealing
with things like sleep deprivation.  I had a baby that never slept for
more that 2 hours at a time (and then, only in arms or next to me
in bed) and although I finally adjusted to it, the first few months
were pretty rough and I was on the brittle edge more than once.  I
wish I had had Kathy's book to read back then - I think I would have
felt a little better about the situation, at least.   LLL was the
lifesaver for me - not too many solutions, but a lot of hand-holding
and comfort care for a somewhat bewildered new mother.
Warmly,
Sharon Knorr, BSMT, LLLL, IBCLC
Newark, NY (near Rochester) USA
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