Dear Friends:
     Antenatal classes are important. Mothers need to learn that
breastfeeding is possible, and that there is help after the baby comes.
    However, remember the mother in the antenatal class is still pregnant
(usually last trimester), may be physically uncomfortable and at least 90% of her
brain is wondering how she will get through labor. We don't want to overload
her with too much information and take up those spare synapses with concepts
like colostrum, breast anatomy, and watching out for engorgement and mastitis.
     Women get hung up on the idea of colostrum. How many times have I worked
with a woman who says, "I don't have milk yet, only colostrum." And then
sighs.
     We don't need to know the names of all the parts of the engine to drive
our cars. So don't waste time with breast anatomy.\
     Spending time on dealing with problems turns people off. Can you imagine
a pre-nuptial class talking about: fights about finances, leaving the toilet
seat up/down, snoring, dirty clothes left on the floor, and television
football marathons?
     All she needs to know is that there is help available when she has
questions, here are the numbers (including mine), and call right away.
     Focus on the positive. Show lovely films with the lights turned down so
mothers can dream about holding their own babies. (Amy Spangler made a
terrific 5-minute video about 8 years ago that is beautiful views of parents,
children, and nursing babies set to wonderful music with no narration). Holding
stuffed animals or baby dolls in position as they dream creates an amazing
atmosphere in the class.
     Ask them what they have heard that they didn't like about breastfeeding
early in the class. I second that technique about turning one's back and
writing down what folks call out verbatim on a blackboard, as Denise described. Get
the negatives and fears out of the way early in the class, so the last part
is all lovely images and positive thoughts. Feed those right brains; they are
already in left brain overload after all the prenatal testing that is done!
     Breastfeeding is special, convenient, something not to be missed.
That is the message they should walk out with.
     warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MSN, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CIMI, CCE, craniosacral therapy
Adjunct faculty, Union Institute and University, Maternal and Child Health:
Lactation Consulting
Supporting the WHO Code and the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative

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