In a message dated 96-09-11 10:59:39 EDT, you write:

>
>Date:    Wed, 11 Sep 1996 00:45:22 -0400
>From:    Ruthy Wilson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: dads in breastfeeding class
>
> When I took my first baby home with me we were 30 miles from
>civilization, (Champaign-Urbana Il.)  WHO WAS IT who was there for
>"clueless me" and my little precious baby girl....DADDY !!!!!

>and NOT EVEN once did he suggest running out to buy formula when the Tear
>Fairy visited me upon every latch-on.....HE listened diligently to our
>childbirth educator when we took childbirth classes that included 1 hour on
>breastfeeding. He remembered things I forgot......
>
>.MOMS NEED the investment of
>their partners the knowledge and the support they receive is critical to
>success in a culture where mothers can't go to their moms for support "I
>tried but I didn't get any support" (while dads waited in the waiting room
>smoking cigars.....)

Ruthy,
You are a wise woman.  Even though some dads don't want to be there in the
beginning IT IS UP TO US to win them over.  After all it is his baby too!  I
never would have made it without my husband wanting me to nurse, and all he
knew about it was that formula came from "that DUMB animal he studied in his
dairy science class." So even if they don't remember all the details, getting
them in the right frame of mind helps the mom and babe.  Many fathers now
have grown up in small egocentric families, have never been around children,
let alone an infant.  They need reality therapy -- as a much as they can get,
as quick as they can get it.  Because pretty soon this helpless little being
is going to be dependent on him, his judgement and his wisedom.  If the
father is against breastfeeding, it is almost impossible for mom to succeed.
 If he is neutral, she can do it, but must rely only on her own resources
when she needs support the most.

Ruthy, I LOVED all your ideas for involving the dads. They are wonderful.
 Hope people continue to post more.  I'm not very creative, just a collector
of ideas.

Jane Bradshaw LLLL, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Private Practice in very wet Lynchburg, VA (We are having MORE rain after
FRAN!!)