Fio told us about her frustration and discouragement in dealing with a woman who doesn't seem interesting in trying harder to maintain her breastfeeding, when Fio knows she could have helped her.

I think Fio should feel good that her NOT helping this woman more aggresively, could be the best thing for supporting breastfeeding "in general".

I know most of you are involved in promoting breastfeeding by helping women them breastfeed, one woman at a time.  So it is hard to give up on any one woman.

But sometimes I look at this from the larger picture.  I think it is critical that you know WHEN to back off, for the greater sake of breastfeeding's "good name".  I think this is where the "breastfeeding backlash" gets started.

CBC Radio (Canada's public radio station) offers air time for personal commentary everyday.  Last year, a woman spoke about her experience breastfeeding - quite negative, she "stuck it out" for 8 months, said she may not feed as long next time.  I know I should be happy for her baby to have gotten 8 months of breastmilk.

But as a marketer and mother, my heart sank.  I would rather she had not breastfed at all, than to have done it for 8 months, and hated it so much she was motivated to go on national radio to talk about how bad it was.

Locally, I know a health professional who has said "these moms need to  'suck it up' and breastfeed for six months".

I think we need to seriously reconsider our health promotion strategies if this is what it is getting us.  This is what LLL brings to breastfeeding promotion, rather than a patriarchal medical model.

So Fio, thanks for knowing when to say "when".

A good rule of thumb:

Show up.
Pay attention.
Tell the truth.
Let go of the outcome.

Janice Reynolds
Consumer Rep, Breastfeeding Committee for Canada

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