Oh, my aunt breastfed 4 out of 5 of her kids, and you wouldn't believe some of the stuff that's come out of her mouth. She's the one who told me you have to overcome their gag reflex (where they push stuff out with their tongue) when they're two months old so they can have some cereal 'cause they're hungry. Of course, hers probably
were hungry, because she was taught to feed them only five minutes on each breast!
(That's about a third of the time we're told feedings should last these days.) She told one daughter her breasts were too small to nurse and the other one hers were too large. She told me I'd better not nurse mine laying down in bed 'cause my breasts are so large I'd surely suffocate the baby! But I have to keep in mind that most of what she tells me is based off what she was taught back in the '70s when she was having her kids. Once upon a time, you were even counselled to clean off your nipples with alcohol pads before letting your baby nurse!
Now that I think on it more, your MIL's advice really isn't too bad. I know I've always been told with newborns if they have trouble staying awake long enough to eat to get 'em a little chilly so they are more alert. Of course, that translated out to stripping 'em down to a diaper, not pouring water on 'em!
(No breastfeeding pun intended
)
