Nikki,

 I share your lament about the move from breastfeeding support to help with latch or whatever else is the presenting problem. This follows the shift from breastfeeding to breast milk feeding.



In my small part of the world of breastfeeding, milk banking, this is an ongoing struggle. How do we assure that the use of donor milk supports breastfeeding and is not used as a better form of supplementation? This problem manifests differently as use of donor milk expands from NICUs and very small fragile babies to full and late preterm babies and healthier outpatient babies.



It has taken us so many years and so much effort to put the importance and value of breast milk on the medical and public radar screen. This took years of research, education, PR on the part of government agencies, parents and health care providers. Now we must work toward educating about the importance of breastfeeding, not just human milk.



In addition to bucking formula companies we will need to address pumps and serious paid maternity leave in this light. Just as formula, and c/sections and many drugs on the market today for that matter, are sometimes useful and necessary, they are used way to often for the public good. Similarly, pumps are sometimes useful and necessary, but it is possible (and preferable) to breastfeed a baby successfully without one. We are talking about social change and we must approach it from many angles, one to two steps at a time. Who are potential partners and allies in this part of the effort that we haven’t yet thought of? What strategies do they use? How can we work together to meet their goals and ours for a better, healthier, more whole community?



We are up for the task! It’s what we do. It’s worth it.



Naomi





------------------------------------------

Naomi Bar-Yam Ph.D.

Executive Director

Mothers' Milk Bank Northeast



President-Elect

Human Milk Banking Association of North America



[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

office: 617-527-6263

direct line: 617-340-3600

www.milkbankne.org

www.facebook.com/mmbne<http://www.facebook.com/mmbne>

@MMBNorthEast

------------------------------------------



The information contained in this email message and any attachments may be privileged and/or confidential.  It is for intended addressee(s) only.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, disclosure, reproduction, distribution or other use of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you received this email in error, please notify the sender by reply and delete the message without saving, copying or disclosing it.  Thank you.



































             ***********************************************



Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html

To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]

Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]

COMMANDS:

1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail

2. To start it again: set lactnet mail

3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet

4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome