How did you encourage a mama to breastfeed?

[atpeace]

I need some suggestions about how to encourage (gently but persuasively) a mama to breastfeed.

DH's cousin is due in August with her second baby. She didn't breastfeed her first at all, went straight to formula. Family members have mentioned that it was because she was sore after her C-section. I think it also has to do with the fact that she's had no support, no role model, no encouragement, and little information.

I don't want to be pushy or nosy, and it might not be any of my business, but I feel like there's an opportunity here for me to help her out some way, to encourage, inform, and support her. I only see her about once a year or less (we live far from them), so I'm thinking about sending her something.

Have any of you ever had an opportunity like this, and what did you do about it? At the very least, I want her to consider and TRY to breastfeed...What should I do?

(I'm posting this in "Breastfeeding" as well)

[leafwood]

I love this list of 101 reasons to BF. It includes references so it is very convincing.
http://www.promom.org/101/

[pixiepunk]

how well do you know her? do you live nearby?

if it were me, and i knew her fairly well and lived reasonably close-by, i'd probably call her to see how her pregnancy was going, etc. and let her know that i'm available to help when the baby comes. i'd probably also ask her if there's anything she needs that she could borrow - and ramble off a list of things that would include slings and also breastfeeding reference books. and just see how she responds to that. if she's receptive to borrowing the books, then you could jump in with both feet - ask if she'd like links, offer to come over and help support her, etc.

just test the waters a little first, and make sure she knows you're just offering - not pushing.

good luck!