Nikki asks: "Does it truly help with breastfeeding for parents to see these 
teaching
devices? How do we know that it helps?"

I guess by asking the mothers themselves.  "Did this help you to understand 
that your colostrum is more than enough to feed your baby on her Birth Day?"

While our lactation information is to be evidence-based (IBLCE Ethics Tenet 
7: "Base her/his practice on scientific principles, and on current research 
and information"), I don't think the teaching tool or tactic itself need be 
evidence-based.

One of the best features of Lactnet is that we all share the tools, phrases 
and techniques that seem to work best.  I have found that using a physical 
object helps those who are visual learners; belly balls would certainly fill 
the bill.  (I pass around a bag of mini peanut butter cups during my BF 
class, and tell everyone: this is close to the size of a baby's stomach.  
Everyone enjoys the treat, too!)

I also use memorable phrases:  "Baby's mouth should be opened wide like 
eating a Big Mac, not pursed like sipping the Pepsi through a straw." Ii 
can't tell you how many mothers, who later deliver at the hospital where I 
work, say things like, "Look!  He is using the Big Mac mouth!"  Or, "I think 
she was using that Pepsi mouth.  My nipples hurt."

Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC
Wyndmoor, PA, USA

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