Boy, do I remember the days I first arrived in the hsopital in Puerto Rico - there, not only family and friends - but neighbors are there with their children and their children's children! At first, thinking I needed to get the mom to concentrate, I would ask her if we could ask the people to leave - but then, they were gone for a very long time and she felt she had to "hostess" them... Then the light went off - these are the SAME people that are going to support or undermine her breastfeeding! Sooo - I put my "training" voice on, (loud) and spoke to the group (sort of like giving mini-inservices). I'd explain about benefits, why bottles are not helpful, what IS helpful (besides leaving her to rest) such as bringing meals (then I'd add diet information), taking other kids, shopping and cleaning. I'd be lighthearted, joke around, (cows don't drink milk and they make milk), and teach, teach, teach... If baby was giving cues - I'd explain the cues to everyone, then ask who were the persons who were going to be helping her with the breastfeeding. Usually father of the baby, grandmothers, and a sister or cousin would identify themselves. I'd ask the others to please wait outside, and I'd give them ideas on positioning, signs of good latch, and evidence of adequate feed while helping the mom. It seemed crazy at first to me, but it also worked! As the years went by, cousins and sisters who had attended to a mom were now coming with their own deliveries and saying how much they remembered of what I had taught (probably a lot more than the new mom herself!). If you can beat them, join them (or get them to walk in YOUR parade!)... Jeanette Panchula, RN, IBCLC Vacaville, CA *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html