I understand the idea that 'social structure' from government to industry
should support the breastfeeding woman and that until it does the woman cannot be
expected to choose and succeed at breastfeeding.  For me, that is victim
thinking.  Not so much blame the victim, but be the victim.  I cannot succeed
because an entire social structure prevents me from doing so, therefore protect me
from the truth and let me continue being too weak to say enough is enough.  I
am very American in my thinking of personal responsibility, but I don't think
that limits change. I think women are strong, and those that are not strong
yet, would get strong if they were given a chance.  I think that if we can
persuade American women that there are real risks to not breastfeeding the women
will force the changes.  As it is, many of us are still alive who were fed
evaporated milk and water mixed with a dropper of vitamins and a dollop of Karo
syrup.  Who can believe that formula is risky when no one sees any risk.  Ear
infections?  Please, that won't cut it.  Antibiotics take care of ear
infections.  Today in America women have made choices that allow the industry of formula
and obstetrics to rule their bodies and their babies.  This is because women
do not believe there is any risk.  There is no risk to mother baby separation,
there is no risk to medical interventions for convenience, or interventions
that lead to even riskier interventions, (heck, women think c section on demand
would be a good thing) there is no risk to bottle feeding babies, there is no
risk seen because no one dares to tell women.  The powers that be know, and
they have made a choice to prevent women from knowing unless they hunt the
information down on their own, and then they make it difficult for her because she
dares to challenge the authority of the status quo--because she doesn't want
to just go along with current thinking of those who decide what women can be
told.  Now, some say that this is because they fear women will feel guilty when
things don't go well, or will feel guilty when they cannot succeed.  I am not
so sure that I agree.  I think they are afraid women will get angry.  Women
will finally understand that money is being made at the expense of their health
and their babies health and when that day finally hits, women will demand
change.  BUT, it cannot happen because NO ONE wants to make women "feel guilty"
so they "shelter" them from what we all know and whisper behind their backs.  I
like to believe women are stronger than they are given credit for.  I see the
assumption that women cannot handle the truth places women once again in the
role of victim.    Victim to an industry that has told them they are not
powerful and strong and capable of birthing babies and need to be saved from their
weakness.  Victim to an industry who has convinced them that a few additives
and comfort proteins are as good as mother's own milk.

I understand Rachel's concern about this being another issue to beat women up
with, but if we keep worrying about women not being able to take care of
themselves, we stay where we are.  Change takes time, but mostly it takes desire
and determination.  You are not going to get that until women believe the
choice they make matters.  Yes, there are still women who smoke while pregnant and
our hospitals have plenty of crack babies to show that not every mother puts
her baby's health first, but there are many more mothers who would choose to
breastfeed if they really thought it made a difference.  If you want social
change, you have to start with the women and make them want it bad enough to
demand it.

All the laws that force compliance for seat belts, car seats, smoking,
helmets, etc. came AFTER there was proof of risk (and sadly much fighting to prevent
the change came from industries then too) and the demand from people to make
it law.  People went to the government and demanded laws that made car
manufacturers change seat belts, use air bags, etc.  Parents who lost children
demanded laws about helmets.  Smoking laws began with people who suffered from
second hand smoke demanding that something be done.  In America it is the people
who make a difference, but they are not going to make demands for women and
babies as long as no one dares tell them that the choice not to breastfeed puts a
baby at risk.

Women are strong, powerful and make a difference.  Let them know the truth so
they can get busy.

Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC
FL, USA

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