In looking back over the years I've been working with breastfeeding moms
and babies I think I went from "hands off" to "hands on" and hopefully
am now somewhere in the middle.  Sometimes describing what a mom needs
to do just doesn't come across-she just can't comprehend what I'm trying
to say or I'm just not saying it in a way she can comprehend.  In these
cases and those when I don't have the luxury of longer time with them,
I'll show you what I mean so you can see and feel what I'm describing,
then you can practice it yourself.  I either guide her hands or in some
cases I handle, support, aim her breast myself showing as well as
describing.  Depending on a number of factors, I may then detach baby
after a minute or so of effective nursing and have mom do it herself.
(Sorry, baby.  Ideally it would be kinder to leave you there and have
mom try the next feeding, but I may not be able to be there next time.)
People learn visually, auditorially and kinetically.  Each of us has a
means we learn best with, but the more senses you can use, the better
the comprehension and retention.  Many times I find that having "felt"
the action as well as hearing about it, mom can then do it herself.
As with everything else we discuss, there is no right approach that fits
everyone (LCs as well as moms) every time.

Winnie

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html