It might help to get some basic breastfeeding information to this mother
in her own language -- sometimes a mother with limited English skills
may acknowledge and seem to agree with what you've said just to be
"polite," while actually only comprehending the bare-bones of the
information.  LLLI has some leads on information in other languages at:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/LLLIlang.html.   I believe that several
Lactnet posts have mentioned that Kay Hoover (also in Philadelphia?) has
excellent materials in different languages, so it might be worth
checking the archives to get contact info for her offices.

But as several people have pointed out, this situation is beyond the
scope of the telephone counselor -- she and the baby need to be seen and
evaluated.

And regardless of the language issues, it's often difficult when the
counselor, rather than the mother, is initiating the helping calls.  The
mother has to want to breastfeed even more than the counselor wants her
to.  Perhaps she's just being "polite" on this topic as well.

It's very hard for us to see someone giving up breastfeeding without a
good fight, especially if we feel that she's dealing with forces beyond
her control -- depression, lack of resources, language issues.  Let's
face it -- we're emotional about this topic.  But we have to control and
direct that energy.  But as someone already pointed out, you can't burn
yourself out trying to "save" someone who's not ready to invest herself
in the process.

Margaret Wills
LLLL, IBCLC

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