Marie:
In working with women in a prenatal clinic in St. Louis, I found the question
"What have you heard about breastfeeding?" to be the least threatening.  In this
way, the client could state it as if "Someone else" believed it and I could
re-educate in a gentle way.

Also about teaching:  Keep in mind some people are not auditory learners, and
describing to them how they need to hold their baby and their breast does not
work.
In prenatal classes I always take a stuffed animal that moms and dad can both
learn to hold - they take it as a joke and is fun.  (This does not work as well
with Puerto Ricans, who take the giggles negatively. For this reason, I DON'T
sit them in a circle, but rather in rows so they can try the positions more
privately.)

HEA gave an excellent talk a while ago basing their teaching suggestions on
_Women's Ways of Knowing_  by Mary Field Belenky et al.  It was very useful to
read their interpretation of ways to teach women (differently from men, what a
surprise!).

I also use Carol Bryant's Best Start program suggestions: 1) Elicit client's
perceptions about breastfeeding by asking open-ended questions, 2) Acknowledge
the client's concerns and feelings, 3)Educate  targeting her concerns.

Hope these ideas are helpful!

Jeanette Panchula