The winter weather seems to have made everyone very cranky.  We all could
tell stories about doctors who are saints and some who are insensitive.  The
same could be said for LLL Leaders or LCs or anyone else.  What is the
point? This type conversation just creates hostility and resentment and
serves no useful purpose because it generates defensiveness rather than
dialog.  Remembering what Dr. Neifert or Dr. Lawrence said ten years ago, or
what they didn't say right on tv scares me.  Hell,  I'd be so nervous if I
went on tv I'm sure I'd say something real stupid and you all might hang me.
If anyone quotes me ten years hence on something I've tossed off during a
lecture, I'm pleading insanity.

During my rabble rousing days in the 60's and 70's I became fond of the
phrase:  Don't mourn; organize.  I have little patience with pointless
complaining.  Strategies to change things can always be devised, and if
people are willing to stay the course with persistent action they will see
results.  This is true for changing birth practices, bfg, and all other
sorts of seemingly impossible dreams.  Our own Chris Mulford is an inspiring
example.  Year after year she tirelessly organizes people to lobby to
improve the status of women's lives.  She shows up at meetings where all the
high-powered leaders are and is often the one voice there speaking for the
inclusion of breastfeeding as an issue on the table.  Can you imagine the
endurance THAT takes?

Gail Hertz wrote a dandy little book to try to improve doctor-delivery of
bfg services.  Kathy A. and Kathy B. created Lactnet so LCs wouldn't have to
feel so isolated.  Rob just clipped his first tongue-tie.  Pam Wiggins'
reasonably priced book made it into Walmart where countless moms will now
haveaccess to her good bfg advice.  Tom Hale, gentleman that he is, not only
educated himself on the issue of medications and mothers milk, but answers
all our pleas for help on drug questions so self-lessly.  Laurie Wheeler is
a media watch-dog in her 'spare' time.  Jack takes our phone calls and
emails on difficult cases.  Marsha Walker fights the formula company claims
in well-researched, carefully written articles.  Anna Swisher (a LLL Leader
from Austin with a whole bunch of kids and a new baby) joins ILCA and pays
her money so she can get the Journal of Human Lactation.  And she plans to
READ it!

It is easy to get bogged down about everything that is wrong.  The way I
chose to look at it is that I am lucky and privileged to live in a time when
the benefits of breastfeeding are so widely acknowledged, and when bfg.
science is exploding with exciting discoveries, and to be in a field with so
many excellent minds and committed individuals.  When I hear about problems
I just think, well, we still have a lot of work to do.  Then I try to get
busy.  Personally.  If I am doing what I am supposed to, I don't have any
time left over to complain about what you aren't doing right.


Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates, Austin, Texas
http://www.jump.net/~bwc/lactnews.html

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