Suzie:  We have found a laminated sign on the door works wonders.  The 
parents can use it as they feel the need.  We have several different ones: Do 
Not Disturb.  See Nurse before Entering.  One mom asked me to write No 
Visitors Allowed (except Jason).  Jason was her husband - she laughingly 
decided it was OK for him to come in.
This method allows the parents to feel like they are in control of the situation.  
Some parents make the connection between their visitor flow in the hospital 
and what awaits them at home.
I find teaching to be most effective if I can relate it back to the parents 
themselves.  Because we live in an "It's all about ME" culture (at least in my 
area), relating teaching points to the parent, allows them to think about 
themselves and how they might respond or feel in the same situation their 
baby is in.  For example:
1.  Do YOU always eat at the same times every day?  (usual answer NO)
2.  Do YOU always eat the same number of meals each day? NO
3.  Does it always take YOU the same amount of time to eat each meal? NO
4.  Do YOU always eat the same amount of food at each meal?  NO
Then why do WE expect babies to eat this way?

When YOU sit down to eat a meal, does it magically appear in YOUR mouth? NO
YOU spend some time thinking about (and preparing to eat).  YOU have to 
either sit in the restaurant reading the menu or, if at home, YOU have to think 
about and then spend time preparing or your food before YOU can begin 
eating.  So, why wouldn't we allow your baby the same consideration.  Allow 
him to spend some time skin-to-skin "reading the menu" before putting him on 
the nipple.

Do YOU like to sleep at night?  YES
Good.  So do I.  Let me tell you some things you can do to maximize the 
amount of sleep YOU are getting at night with a newborn in the house:
1.  Baby sleeps either in your bed (safely) or in a bassinet next to your bed.
2.  Breastfeed at night.
The above 2 suggestions alone will guarantee YOU more sleep.  For the 
parents who think they want baby in the beautifully decorated nursery down 
the hall, I suggest they try baby in the room for a night or two, or to 
reconsider the suggestions after the 1st night or 2 down the hall.

I find this approach to be highly effective in getting the basics across - make 
it "All about ME" and parents will make the connections.


Pam Hirsch, BSN,RN,IBCLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL   USA
Who now should go practice what she preaches)

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