As an LC with a private practice, I offer a 3-session prenatal
breastfeeding class for couples. I have found that one class just isn't
enough. In my three classes, all of #2 is devoted to positioning. Both mom
and dad practice with a doll, which they are required to carry through all
of each class (good parenting practice, and helps me pick up on awraenss of
parents about importance of touching baby). Even with three classes (which
gives time for questions to occur between times, etc), refresher time is
necessary after baby's arrival.

With home birth moms (I get referrals from midwives), I often see them
within the first 24 hours. These moms do a lot better than those in
hospital (no meds, no separateion, etc.) but often still need a second
shorter visit to verify that all is going well (primips only; I rarely see
home-birthing mutlips. They seem to have it all together.)

Biggest probelm with hospital moms here is a) inconsistent information so
they don't trust themselves any longer; and b) medication which throws mom
and baby off a normal pattern of interaction.

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         %%  Kathleen G. Auerbach, PhD, IBCLC    %%
         %%        Lactation Services            %%
         %%        Homewood, Illinois            %%
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