There have been some excellent materials developed for breastfeeding support
- in Guatemala, it was fabric posters that were easy and light to transport,
in the Dominican Republic a flip chart with pictures on one side and the
words to say on the other (in both English and Spanish so the translator
knew what to say and the LC would know what was said). 

Other places to locate resources include the USAID Linkages Project, UNICEF
and WHO as well as WABA - contacting any and all these organizations or even
just going to their websites can give you a lot of ideas on what to do or
bring...

But best of all, if you could, try to spend some time with those who are
from the area - listening to THEIR needs and what THEY feel they need to
learn...Many, Many, Many years ago I had the need to have materials typed
(remember I said LONG ago) with a Laotian typewriter - so I went to the
United Nations area and found (yellow pages) the Laotian consulate -
wonderful people who translated and typed our handouts!  (For years later my
husband was sure I had been recorded entering their offices and we would
probably never pass a security check!)

Too often we think what we know is best - but again, if you don't do a
"needs assessment" you spin your wheels never really getting in touch with
the core issues and barriers.  From here in the US I could not begin to
assume to know what to do or say!  Keep asking lots of questions LONG before
you provide education...it will NOT be a "waste of time" if YOU are the one
doing most of the learning...<grin>

In some of the WIC programs they recommend using L.O.V.E.:  Listen,
Open-ended questions, Validate, Empower/Educate - in La Leche League we use
similar concepts as we do in Public Health Nursing and Social Work - and now
we are using Motivational Interviewing for many situations, including drug
and alcohol use...no matter what culture, it is a respectful way that will
get you a lot further than arriving with a planned lecture, which implies
that YOU have all the answers...  

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC

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