Hi again all,
I know that my own experience will not be as extensive as many on the list,
but I honestly believe that it is easy to present too much information.
Positioning and attachment can become too complex - shape this way, baby to
here, watch for this, make the baby gap by etc. When this happens, mothers
are left feeling very insecure and like breastfeeding is something that they
do rather than something that the baby does. Sure are there specific keys
that can enhance breastfeeding and for dyads where breastfeeding is not
ideal for various reasons (eg medicated births, epiduals, baby issues such
as prematurity, clefts, cardiac problems etc) then more care and insight is
needed. But for 90 odd % where babies are given time to do pre-feeding
behaviours (lick, nuzzle, root, massage etc) and mothers do lots of skin to
skin and are trained in very early signs for feeding - most of the
mother-led breastfeeding steps can be elliminated. That is the reason I do
not go into much detail at all.
I have also found that 95% of mothers are not interested in anatomy, how
milk is made etc. At an antenatal stage, mothers just want to know about
labour esp at the time we see them. I use to talk about it - and yes people
said that it was interesting but I do not believe that in the long term it
made any difference to breastfeeding rates. What has made the difference is
empowering women to listen to their intuition, encouraging the men to
support and seek help and most importantly having a hospital that is
prepared to become breastfeeding friendly.
Most soon-to-be parents put little thought into life with a newborn. I am
always surprised at the number of people that think that giving birth is a
minor hiccup. I then see them after the baby is born and they can not
believe motherhood and parenthood is like it is. Talking with mums and dads
over the last 6 years has made me realise that there really is little that
one can do to prepare for parenthood - just like no-one could really prepare
me for my very first parachute jump. But they tell me that they wish there
was more talk about intuition, about dealing with conflicting advise, about
permission to be the mother/parent I need to be with my child. For that
reason, many of answers to questions are phrased "many mothers find" or
"listen to your heart" or "we understand that a key to successful ..... is
...." and offer a range suggestions rather then "should" "will", "never"
"this is how it is done" type comments.
The other reason is that mothers only remember 3 facts in the hour. I
believe that if all that a mother and her partner remember is that if
something does not feel right get help - where to get help (put the
organisation that I represent at the top) - acceptable nappy counts then I
consider that I good class.
And what is the result of this approach? It is not uncommon for 1 mother
out of the group to attend an Australian Breastfeeding Association meeting
before birth. They sometimes ask to see us after the birth. If they need
support they will contact us after the birth. It is after the birth, I
find, that mothers are most receptive to breastfeeding information. If
however we present ourselves as genuinely approachable,listening, caring and
supportive with keys to help in difficult situations before the birth, then
we increase the chance of helping when it is needed.\
All just my honest opinion
Ruth Fiedler
Australia
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, 6 December 2004 2:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: prenatal classes
Ruth, what a great effort you are making with your class structure. This
is what all prenatal classes should be doing, discussing breastfeeding as
the norm and at every class. Along the same lines teaching the parents
about rooming-in, skin-to-skin, and learning baby states and cues. Empower
the parents and let them change doctrine in hospitals.
I think a breastfeeding class is great but it should be for the more
indepth information not the basics. That way if a mother did not attend she
will still have enough information to get started.
Ann Perry, RN IBCLC
Boston, MA
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