In a message dated 95-12-14 23:32:32 EST, Linda writes:

>While I'm on my soapbox - the 3 survival skills to teach everyone are, in
>order: (1) how to make milk, (2) how to hold the baby so BF is comfortable,
>and (3) where to get help if BF hurts or you think the baby isn't eating
>well.  That's the core stuff that you can't do without. Other information is
>nice but isn't important at 2 a.m. when faced with a hungry baby.  Save the
>"why" information till after - get them started with the how-to FIRST.

I take the opposite approach!  My favorite program was when the hospital
allowed me to design it (  :>)  ) and I taught 8 wk birth classes.  One night
was devoted to brfding and the rest of the nights were sprinkled generously
with tidbits.

I tend to think it's more important for them to understand the *whys*,
because at 2am it's so tempting to listen to their mother-in-law who says,
"If you'll just let me give him a bottle you can sleep."  Even when she's
making plenty of milk, latching well, etc...that sleep deprivation combined
with lousy advice from everyone around her can be overwhelming.  If she knows
that brfding is *vital* to her baby's health and growth she'll be in a better
place to hang in there.  Of course I then would agree with those 3 essential
survival skills.

Just my .02       Nancy