I was once asked by a father attending a prenatal breastfeeding class, why
were they needed and what was done before classes were invented?
We all discussed this and came to some conclusions that in today's society
families are on the move and do not have the close village community support.
Many women are no where near their families and sadly there are very few from
the family supports that even breastfed their children.  We also discussed wet
nurses and the benefit it had for a situation when a dyad were having
difficulties breastfeeding.
I see classes as a way to compensate for what we lack in knowledge passed
down from generation to generation and also lack of observing other women nursing
in our society.

That said, prenatal classes over all are poorly attended and those who tend
to come already have some motivation and knowledge base.  The ones who do not
attend are the ones who need it most.  I feel that the support and information
on breastfeeding has to come from the prenatal care givers and I don't mean
them getting women to attend classes.  The clinicians themselves need to start
the pregnancy out with statement that breastfeeding is really the only healthy
option and at every visit some more information is given.
I can always dream.  Meanwhile the classes give some assistance but are not
the answer to the problem.
Ann Perry, RN, IBCLC
Boston, MA

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