Our in hospital teaching protocol is very limited. We teach alerting the baby, signs of a good latch-on (nipples round, not pinched), signs of infant intake visible/audible swallowing), hand expression/breast massage, and comfortable positioning. We have our own hand-outs which contain pcitures of good latch-on and positioning, a "when to ask for help" sheet, a sheet on preventing sore nipples, a sheet on preventing/treating engorgement, and feeding diary for 4 days. We also give out a second hand-out with info for mothers returning to work. We give the Breastfeeding HelpLine number for further help which put them in touch with our outpatient services. I agree that moms are not capable of retaining much info, you have to involve the family. I often remind mother (especially if the first) that its like learning to drive a car or dance (sometimes it takes more time than other times and every time you get a new car or a new partner you have to make adjustments). The KISS rule applies here. And humor with a low sense of your own self-importance is also important. Most of us, I''ll bet, consider helping mothers to breastfeed is not just a job but a mission. Finding fresh new ways to carry out that mission is what keeps us from burning out. If you look at the difficult road, you can get discouraged. But I remind myself, even a birthday candle shines a very bright light in a very dark place! Jane Kershaw mailto: [log in to unmask]