Hi,

I am new subscriber that has been hanging out in the archives.  Wow, wish I
had found you guys sooner.  I am a new La Leche League Leader in Missouri
USA.

I could use some suggestions on ?diplomacy or knowing when to speak up.  I
attended a baby shower today for a relative that intends to "try
breastfeeding".  How do many you handle the blatantly ignorant and
ridiculous  or just plain wrong comments that people make about
breastfeeding and birth for that matter?  I know we all hear them
everywhere, just not at baby showers.  I have been struggling with knowing
how much information I should share and when I should just shut up.  Before
I was a leader I would just speak my mind, these days I feel like I should
temper my words a little.

For example, someone (who did not breastfeed) talks about how often a baby
should nurse.  Or (from a nursing mom) make sure you rough up those nipples.
etc and so on.  And one woman women after hearing that mom is scared to
death of childbirth began to tell her THREE horror stories.

I think my problem is I feel like I have an OBLIGATION since I posses
knowledge they do not have, to share it with them--mainly for the benefit of
the new mother they are misinforming.  When it is just me talking alone with
someone I sometimes let things go but when a anxious and nervous pregnant is
standing there-I can't figure out when to stop talking!  I do not want mom
to feel like she is getting more confusing information and I do not want the
speaker to feel stupid-just enlightened.  How do you all handle that fine
line?

Ugghhhh-sorry this sounds like a rant--it is.  Just glad discipline did not
come up today, this side of the family has had serious problems with abuse.


Sincerely,
Nikki Simmons
La Leche League of Jefferson City Missouri USA
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