.As stated,  it is so difficult to prepare for an experience without 
exposure to it.  As a childbirth educator, I introduce breastfeeding into 
discussions on every aspect of pregnancy and birth and postpartum - from how 
mother`s milk changes even during pregnancy to suit her baby at whatever 
stage he is born, e.g. premature/full-term to the full session on 
breastfeeding near the end of the course.
But the most moving and significant preparation that a recent group of mine 
received was when one of the couples wanted to visit the group after having 
a premature baby.  At 36 weeks, the baby was a good weight and well 
developed so he was out of hospital within a week, just in time for the 
breastfeeding session of that group.  I had spent time with the couple 
meanwhile and they were very motivated to breastfeed.  But they didn`t want 
to miss some of the theoretical stuff we would be discussing - and the film.
Well, of course the focus of the evening was on this wonderful couple and 
their baby - we didn`t even bother with the film!
During the class, the baby spent most of the time skin-to-skin and every so 
often had a little snack.  The others in the group were awe-struck and this 
was definitely the most effective way of preparing them.
I have in the past sometimes invited a couple from a previous course to come 
back and discuss breastfeeding with the prenatal group, but this was 
particularly significant because the group knew these parents and they could 
relate more realistically to them.
I would not like, however, to see a premature birth in every group just in 
order to have this experience!! It just worked out that way.
Wendy Blumfield
Israel Childbirth Education Centre
NCT ANT Tutor /BFC 

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
Mail all commands to [log in to unmask]
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or [log in to unmask])
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or ([log in to unmask])
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]