I agree that Cadwell's question for moms, "What matters to you about breastfeeding?" is a wonderful question to get insight into where the mom is coming from.

A few days ago, Mandy Schaub asked for interview questions for women who would be joining the lactation department at her hospital, with the promise of becoming IBCLCs within the next year. I'm wondering if this question may be a good one to use during the interview process for these ladies, as well. Hopefully it can shed light on the job candidate's philosophy and attitude toward breastfeeding.

Chrissy Bodin
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Margaret G. Bickmore" <[log in to unmask]>
> One of the best things that I learned at the 2007 LLLI Conference was 
> from a session by Karin Cadwell, Case Studies in Breastfeeding: 
> Skills and Strategies.
> 
> She suggests using the phrasing, "What matters to you about breastfeeding?".
> 
> If you ask a mother "Why do you want to breastfeed?" or "What are 
> your goals for breastfeeding?" you are likely to get a canned answer 
> in which the mother tells you what she knows is the 'correct' 
> response ("it's better for the baby", "at least six months", etc). 
> This doesn't give you any insight into her *personal* motivation or 
> commitment.
> 
> Asking what matters to her about breastfeeding can help you get to 
> the heart of things and clarify the mother's position.
> 
> I wonder if the Magic Fairy in this case could be a mothers' support 
> group -- it sounds as if this mother would really benefit from being 
> around other breastfeeding mothers and experiencing the increased 
> oxytocin levels that all women have in such surroundings.
> 
> Margaret
> Longmont, CO
> 
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