Jay Gordon says:

>It remains my opinion that--aside from formula manufacturers--the single
>largest threat to breastfeeding remains pediatricians...

And Jean C says:

>Plus some of the 2-4 decade old misinformation supplied by mothers, aunts
>and grandmothers whose support and understanding are usually based on
>their own personal breastfeeding (or not) experience conducted on "rules"
>popular at that time.

But, Jean, those mothers, aunts and grandmothers were taught to listen to
The Doctor. If the Ped is knowledgeable and instructive with the goal of
breastfeeding, then the generation that was told that formula was superior
to breastmilk will be less sure of themselves and, at least, support the
new mother even if they can't really buy the whole package--yet.

I work with several Peds who want all of their patients to be breastfed.
When there is a problem they want to work on the breastfeeding. The mothers
have the "same" mothers and grandmothers as those you are speaking of, but
when I work in the home, they listen to what I am saying and they learn.
When I say to the new mother, "I know that Dr. H. wants you to do it this
way so that it will be easier for your baby to successfully feed at your
breast," the grandmothers take steps to assist the mother in carrying out
The Doctor's recommendations.

Then there are the Peds who, upon seeing a low weight gain, say, "You'd
better get that LC back in to work on the feeding. He looks good but we
need a few more pounds." Grandma may have been at the visit and, if not,
she gets the phone call soon afterwards. That Doctor's words carry a lot of
weight with Grandma as well as with mother. The basic implication is that
breastfeeding is the norm.

On the other hand, when I work with a client whose doctor gives lip service
to breastfeeding, "Breastfeeding is fine if it works out but..." and who
assures the mother that her baby will grow just fine on formula (or the
ones who tell a mother, "This breastfeeding stuff is greatly over-rated.")
then Grandma and Auntie move in where they know what they are doing and
begin mixing the formula, feeling assured. Formula feeding is the norm here.

I know when I see who the Ped is, that we will have a baby breastfeeding or
that it will be an up-hill go every step of the way. Sometimes the
challenges are great and the basic opinion of the Ped makes the difference.
I must say that most of the Peds in the Milwaukee area believe that it is
fine for a mother to choose to breastfeed so long as there are no problems.
But if there are, she/he moves to where she/he feels more confident--the norm.

The numbers who expect that the mothers will be breastfeeding are growing,
however, and it is a delight to work with the mothers who are getting
encouragement and guidance from their babies' doctors in feeding their
babies as they truly want to.

So, I am agreeing with Jay. I know that there are many factors at work
here, but most Americans still believe that The Doctor knows best and
his/her opinions come through every time.

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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