Over the years I've come up with several I like to use in teaching
both moms and staff.  I have to be careful or I'll wind up with an
entire teaching session being nothing but analogies!

When mom's milk volume really "kicks in" after a couple days baby
may be overwhelmed with the increased flow.  I liken this to
drinking from a drinking fountain when the water pressure increases
(or someone plays a trick by turning it up).  I find that almost
everyone has had this happen to them at some point in their life and
they can really relate to baby's possible reaction.

In discussing "finish the first side first" I describe the milk as
starting out as skim, then moving through 1%, 2%, whole, half and
half and finally pure cream.

Several great analogies have been given for the learning period.  I
really like the "learning to dance" one.  I point out that at first,
you're counting every beat of the music, concentrating on which foot
goes where and when and that the two partners may even step on each
other's toes a few times.  One partner may catch on quicker than the
other.  In time, both become adept at the dance and are able to do
it without giving it a thought-it just comes naturally.  No one
expects a person to be able to get up and do a particular dance the
first time they try, so don't expect nursing to be "second nature"
without some learning and practice.

In describing "supply and demand" and "growth spurts" I sometimes
liken the breasts to a factory and a warehouse.  Ideally, the
factory keeps manufacturing enough that it moves through the
warehouse smoothly.  If the warehouse is getting full, a call goes
to the factory to cut back on production.  On the other hand, if the
warehouse is continually empty and there are backorders, the call
goes to the factory to call in an extra shift and go on overtime to
keep up.  If a buyer goes to a competitor for some of their needs,
the warehouse/factory isn't aware of it and will decide that if the
customer isn't purchasing as much from them it must be because the
need is less leading to lower production.

I believe it was Maureen Minchen who said "No body part in either
gender should hurt when it's being used for it's intended
function."  When I mention this, I usually get at least one chuckle
from a hearer who has made the analogy connection for themsenves!

I think I read this one on Lactnet several months ago.  I have
gotten good response with it.  In discussing the importance of
letting baby learn to breastfeed first, then introducing bottle
after a few weeks if baby must learn how to use it - "imagine trying
to learn to skate by putting a roller skate on one foot and an ice
skate on the other.  You wouldn't learn either method very easily.
Much better to master one skill at a time."

In discussing fullness with the milk "kicking into high gear" (I
always try to avoid the expression "milk coming in") I ask if the
mom experienced any ankle swelling during the pregnancy.  If she did
(and a majority have at least a little) I then mention that some of
the fullness she will notice is a similar process, just in a
different location.

When discussing optimal positioning for an effective latch I often
ask the listener to try to swallow while their head is turned to the
side or theri chin tucked in to their chest.  This makes the point
far better and more likely to be remembered that all the
descriptions in the world.  When a mom is worried about whether baby
can breathe at the breast I (after asking "Can I show you with your
own nose?") will gently press in on her nose with the heel of my
hand and ask her to breathe.  It really makes the point that
pressing on the breast is rarely necessary.  (I did have one mom,
however, several years ago who said she couldn't breathe when I did
that, then she pointed out that she was born with no carteledge in
her nose!)

On a similar vein, one recent poster talked about expressing a drop
of milk in response to mom being convinced there was "no milk".  I
find myself doing this a lot, especially with some ethnic groups who
are totally convinced there is nothing there.  It is very rarely
that I can't get at least a drop or tow.  Moms (and dads and
grandmas) are usually amazed and thrilled to know that there really
is something for baby to get.  I always point out that baby is far
more efficient at getting the milk out that I can be with my
fingers.

Guess that's enough rambling for now
Winnie Mading-Wisconsin where we're having the hottest day of the
year.  Am I glad we have air conditioning!
'

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