Any other things that I just HAVE to have to teach others to learn about  
breastfeeding?
 
Julie,
 
I use a balloon when teaching breastfeeding class (I ask about latex  
allergies first) and its use is multipurpose.  First, I blow it up so that  it's 
quite inflated to show and discuss engorgement and have participants feel  how 
taut it is and how the "nipple" can kind of flatten and then I deflate it  some 
so it's more in the shape of a breast and tie a knot in the base.   Then I 
demonstrate and discuss latching and hand positioning/breast support (to  be used 
only as needed), put on lipstick (the lipstick itself also provides a  
teaching tool about nipple shape post feed) and demonstrate ala Diane Wiessinger  
shallow, then asymmetrical latching.  Rebecca Glover's "tipping the nipple  away" 
can also be demonstrated on the balloon.
 
Other inexpensive equipment I use include a medicine cup with differing  
amounts of juice (I serve snacks and the juice is more easily seen) to  
demonstrate the amounts of colostrum a baby needs, a few baby dolls for practice  in 
positioning and latch (no cost here having had three daughters), and Ameda's  
belly balls which I got free.  I do have a couple of films I lend parents  to 
watch at home as I have very small classes, and actually both films I luckily  
won at conference raffles over the years.  Hope this is helpful.
 
Barbara Latterner, BSN, RN, IBCLC



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