In a message dated 8/28/98 1:46:21 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< My question is: Does anyone have suggestions
 on how to :reach" this age group? Teaching stratigies that work best?  >>

Speaking from both personal experience (I had my son when I was 18) and from
my experiences counseling teen moms, there is one thing that must be
mentioned; something along the lines of:  "This is YOUR baby; not your
mother's or mother-in-law's, not your grandmother's, etc.  No matter what else
everyone can do for you (give advice, emotional support, financial help, etc.)
YOU are the ONLY one who can breastfeed your baby.  It doesn't matter if you
are 15 or 40, your breastmilk is the absolute best thing for your baby.  The
baby doesn't know you aren't an old pro!  Accept as much help as you feel
comfortable taking from others in every other matter, but realize that this
baby needs what ONLY you can give her--your breastmilk."  Of course the
"you'll get back in shape faster" stuff helps too, but I have found that the
abovementioned tactic is one that often strikes a resounding chord with young
mothers, who are too often told they don't "know" enough to be
mothers...breastfeeding is something that comes naturally, without a lot of
education, and which they can really feel proud about.  Also, as an end
result, teen moms who are bf often keep their hands on thie baby more than
teen moms not, because of the closeness that bf encourages and necessitates;
bottle feeding teen moms often are usurped by well-meaning in-laws or mothers
who really don't think the mom can handle the baby alone.

Best of luck.

Joy Berry-Parks LLLL, Arkansas
Anthropology Apprentice/Relentless Breastfeeding Zealot
********************************************
Life is an offensive, directed against the
repetitious mechanism of the universe.
Alfred North Whitehead, Adventures of Ideas
********************************************