Just my observed 2 cents worth here regarding Mary Kay's post.  I am
continually amazed at how little people (parents and HCPs alike) know and
understand the breastfeeding time line. I always ask during prenatal
breastfeeding classes how often and for how long each feeding a baby nurses
at 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months, 6 months, 12 months, 2years.  The vast
majority of parents truly believe that a 2 year old is nursing 8-12 times
in every 24 hour period for 10-15 minutes per breast.  When I correct the
misconceptions (nursing a 2 year old I call "bungee nursing" - it takes mom
more time to open the blouse than it does the baby to nurse) I can see by
the looks on the faces that some parents are thinking:  "That might be
doable".  We forget that much of the literature and advice out there is
geared towards the first few weeks.  Also the numbers of parents who
believe that successful nursing cannot include introduction of solid foods
at the appropriate time is amazing, too. I believe that parents need just
as much, if not more support, as breastfeeding proceeds, than the parent in
the first few weeks.  Ongoing education/support is what will increase our
duration rates.

Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL  USA

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