Here in San Antonio, Anglos are the minority!  So I see many Hispanic and
Latina women in the hospital and through my contract with WIC.  The majority
tend not to want to breastfeed early on due to privacy/exposure issues.  I
find this especially true of the teen mothers, and first generation
immigrants.  I, too, feel it is important to give enough information to
correct old myths about colostrum without threatening cultural beliefs, and
have found that if I include dad and both grandmothers in my teaching
concerning early milk, the chances are higher that mom will nurse early and
frequently.  The aspect of the NURSE/LC in the "powerful" position and the
family needing to "follow orders" is a strong one; therefore, I'm working on
bringing my Spanish skills up to fluency level in order to teach the client
"where they're at" rather than a from a position of power.  Am seeing some
very positive results from this standpoint as well as more frequent contact
by the new mom.

Kathy Parkes, RN, IBCLC