<As for this problem, it would be nice first of all if mothers could be
taught about this in prenatal breastfeeding classes, so that they come
in with the expectation of expressing colostrum if their babies can't
nurse, and their support persons (husbands, grandmothers, etc, could be
educated about the importance of this and help to support mothers to do
this).>

Alicia,

Thanks for this post. (I am glad it made it to the list even though you
later explained you had meant it as a private post!) As a former L&D,
postpartum, and nursery nurse, if validates my long held beliefs. I hope
the idea gains greater and greater support.

An opportunity for private demonstration and return demonstration of
fingertip expression was one of the things that I built into a prenatal
breastfeeding class that my local CBE group allowed me to introduce back
in 1974.

I continued offering this opportunity to mothers in the prenatal exam
room in the late third trimester during a subsequent 20 years in public
health prenatal care.

Indeed, I enjoyed watching their faces when the "lightbulb" came on over
their head. "Oh, so THAT'S the way to do it! I read about it and tried it
in the shower wihout any success, but NOW I really understand it!"

Adding the kinesthetic pathway (touch sense) to what their eyes and ears
can pick up seems to
impart the skill very effectively.

Maybe I was just 2-3 decades before my time. It is a very easy skill for
nurses and other HCP to learn, and of course, they have to learn it
before they can teach it effectively. (I recommend the Marmet sheet,
available through LLL, among other places, as a good resource for those
interested in learning.)

Jean
*********
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA

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