Dear Liz,
You had a very interesting post.  I have worked a few women from this part of
the world and now retrospectively understand what you are obsereving.  These
women do not attend classes and I have thought this was mostly due to not
wanting to take the time.  I have also noted how awkward they appear handling
their babies, they always want the hands on approach, which I would prefer
not to do. I worked recently with a women who the nursing staff said always
needed help getting the baby on and now was heading out the door not
demostrating that she was comfortable doing this on her own.  The baby was
readmitted for an elevated bili for a couple days.  Mom then chose to pump
and give her milk via a bottle. Over a week post discharge I met them and dad
was at the visit and he was pushing the baby onto the breast.  I did get mom
to do some on her own.  I would love to here from anyone who could explain if
what Liz and I observed cultureal.
Ann Perry RN IBCLC