When possible, I think it's important to include the patient's mother in
discharge teaching.  The research done as a part of the WIC national
breastfeeding promotion campaign revealed that the patient's mothers are
their most trusted source of advice, even over their partner. (I wonder if
this isn't also true for non-WIC moms, as well.)  My experience, too, is that
patients remember very little of what we tell them in the hospital.  I try to
use every hospital contact with a new mom as an opportunity to *praise* her
efforts not only with her, but with her mother, partner, and any other
influencers present.