Jean: For a few years I have been teaching a grandparent-to-be class on a monthly basis. the turnout has been anywhere from one grandma to eight, and either alone or with the grandpas or other partner or one relative along. I think you need two hours to cover all the things grandmothers would love to know more about but then I touch on baby care and perinatal mood disorders as well. It helps them to know how to help the first 2 weeks, what to buy and what not to buy, and to understand things that weren't done in their day but now are and vice versa. 
For one thing, you can bring a pump along and learn how to disassemble, clean and reassemble it. 
I wrote an article for Midwifery Today magazine in their 99th issue called Accepting Love Without Perfection. It is a lot about how doulas and grandmothers can both help together during the postpartum period but also addresses issues that come up for grandmothers. It might help you decide how to approach your class. 
Let me know if you think I can answer any questions you may have. 

Vicky York, IBCLC
Postpartum Care Services
Portland, OR





>________________________________
>
>Date:    Wed, 4 Jan 2012 19:16:34 -0500
>From:    "K. Jean Cotterman" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: A "Granny-peer" class planned
>
>Given the proven effectiveness of WIC peers teaching mothers about infant feeding, it came to me that a generational counterpart might be helpful for the grandmothers, aunts and other significant others. And it works in beautifully with the second recommendation of the Surgeon-General.
>
>Is anyone currently doing something of this nature? I would be willing to receive suggestions from anyone wanting to give me some. 
>
>Next week I am going to try out a "granny-peer class" to go along with the surgeon-general's recommendation #2 that family and significant others be given special attention and information as to how they can support the breastfeeding mother. I will have some visual aids and printed instructon materials there, but am depending on my ability to "go with the flow" with no exact format planned in advance for instruction the first time I try it. I am not certain whether anyone or more than a few will attend, as the class was only announced to the nutritionists and peers to "advertise" through the expectant mothers themselves. My plan is to make it a regular event once every two months and see how it goes.
>
>But to begin with I will ask them leading questions to find out where they are in their personal or hear-say understanding of breastfeeding in this day and age, and let that shape the one-hour class to be offered at our WIC location from 5-6 p.m. on one of the few evenings per month that we are open past 4:30.
>
>Judging from what I observed at the mother's infant feeding classes given by the WIC Peers that I "sampled" last month I thought it best to be as flexible as possible. But I certainly will explain the MER to them in everyday terms, that's for sure.
>
>I welcome any suggestions.
>
>K. Jean Cotterman RNC-E, IBCLC
>WIC Volunteer LC    Dayton OH
>
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