I use dolls and stuffed animals in the prenatal breastfeeding class I teach
quarterly.  (Five years now.)  I read the concern about the differences that
come when the breast is loose (and I would add the baby is wiggly).

Yes it is different when breastfeeding goes live but the dolls still have
tremendous value IMO.  The amount of new information in a breastfeeding
class can be almost overwhelming.  Bringing out the dolls makes that busy
note taking mom get misty eyed.  It makes that bored, tired dad perk up.
Even if they think it's silly at first, it makes an impression.

I can still teach about the face (cheeks, chin, nose) contacting the breast,
the baby being tummy to tummy with mom and the baby's ear, shoulder and hip
in line.  I hold the doll in typical bottle feeding position and then
compare that with cradle hold breastfeeding position and ask them to
describe the differences.

I model gentle handling of the baby with my doll and I see the gigglers
settle down and start to mimic me.  I demo cradle, football and cross cradle
holds. We discuss side lying.

Valerie Vanderlip, IBCLC, RLC
Marietta, Georgia USA

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