Hi All, Coach Smith here using my real academic degree in education to
comment on this thread.

1. People learn in many ways - auditory, kinesthetic (hands-on) and visual.
Most of us favor one or two modes; over 85% are primarily visual learners.
There's no rule that says we can only learn one way. The more modalities
used, the higher the retention/understanding of the information.
Breastfeeding is mostly a kinesthetic experience, like learning to swim or
play a musical instrument.

2. Right-brain learners need to see the "big picture." They thrive on
"watch for the pause in the baby's suck" (Thanks, Jack!) and other
subjective measures of "success." They don't comprehend numbers/objective
stuff as well, especially in the postpartum period.

3. Left-brain learners thrive on numbers and logic. They thrive on "watch
for 5 stools on day 5" written instructions and other objective measures of
"success." They don't comprehend subjective/watch-the-baby ideas as well,
especially in the postpartum period.

4. IMHO, BOTH approaches have validity - depending on the mother, of
course! And most moms have someone in the family who has other learning
styles that will be addressed by the approach that the mom doesn't
prefer/use well.

Remember, it's been shown that moms lose 10 IQ points immediately
postpartum (dads only lose 5.) [Eidelman, AI, Hoffmann NW, Kaitz M:
Cognitive deficits in women after childbirth. Obstet Gynecol 1993;81:764-7.]

I can't think of a good reason NOT to use multiple approaches, just as long
as the information leads to the same goal - baby getting enough milk at
breast.

Linda Smith, BSE (Bachelor of Science in Education), FACCE, IBCLC
Dayton Ohio
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre
http://www.bflrc.com