Melissa, that was some story about the Hispanic grandmom or
great-grandmom punching the breasts to kickstart them. Makes you
want to tear your hair out, say what? I not-very-fondly remember
two grandmas: one who was so critical and vitriolic toward her
daughter-in-law that the poor first-time mom couldn't relax
enough to let down her milk, and the baby was literally starving
when I saw him. The second case was when the father (a colleague
of my husband) asked me to make a house call to speak with his
wife who had just been discharged w/baby. Mom and her mom were
in the living room. The hostility was almost palpable, I had the
feeling that just before I had rung the bell, there was an
argument. Bravely (foolhardedly?) I forge ahead. A little later,
we ladies are sitting in the living room, mom is like carved in
stone, and grandma proceeds to tell me at length how well her
other daughter's baby is doing on formula. After a while, I asked
myself what I was DOING there, made my goodbyes and left. Need
I add that I am a volunteer counsellor? What a waste of time! Of
course, many grandmoms are wonderful, supportive and loving. You
wins some, you loses some. Judy Knopf