It is important to know how to ask questions of a newly breastfeeding mother sensitively and effectively, so that while information is being gathered the mother feels supported rather than threatened or criticized. The best questions are those that do not require a simple "yes" or "no" answer and do not put words into the mother's mouth. In general, beginning a question with "what" or "how" will elicit more information. These words will encourage a mother to expand upon her answer.
For example, don't ask "Is the baby breastfeeding well?" Instead, use "How do you feel the baby is breastfeeding?"
-"The Breastfeeding Answer Book"
revised edition, Nancy Mohrbacher and Julie Stock, La Leche League International, 1997
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issue 8, Feb 19, 1999)
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