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Date: | Mon, 14 Nov 2005 09:24:42 EST |
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Dear Friends:
Pamela's understanding post from England articulates the two main
concerns I had about this situation. For one thing, both healthcare professionals (
a physician and a nurse/lactation consultant) dismissed the overwhelming
evidence that breastfeeding is an essential part of a baby's health for the
rest of its life. (Just think of the impact of artificial feeding on the
epidemics of obesity and diabetes.) We claim to be advocates for the baby, and we
have surrendered that to support some notion of choice.
For another, I missed an opportunity to give the mother all the
responsibility for her decision, instead of colluding with her to make it alright to
wean after 2 days. Now she can believe, and perhaps even tell her friends,
that two healthcare professionals said it was alright for her to wean.
Why is it that we would be so strong about carseats, and so cavalier
about breastfeeding? How much cultural undermining do we ourselves continue in
our work? Where did my fortitude go when this mother told me she would have
kept breastfeeding if her physician had told her to? Why did I surrender my
power to speak truth, even when the mother gave me an opportunity?
I pledge to act differently henceforth.
Wondering, and looking for the learning in this lesson.
warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE
Maternal-Child Adjunct Faculty Union Institute and University
Film Reviews Editor, Journal of Human Lactation
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com
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