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From:
sally myer <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 16 Oct 2003 11:00:40 -0700
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After convincing them about why bf'ing is so good for mother and baby I think it would be beneficial to talk about the adverse influences/obstacles to successfully breastfeeding that exist in your (my examples are present in the USA, may need to be adapted in your case) culture.  Some of these include:

* Breasts are only for sex.  Show a picture of breasts used to sell something and a picture of a baby at breast and ask them which is more commonly seen.  Why?  

* "Nonsupport" by people a mother would expect to support her.  Offer examples of nonsupportive comments/actions these people might do.  For instance, saying things like "are you sure you have enough milk?",  "does that baby want to eat again?", "you're still breastfeeding?", "it's not necessary to breastfeed beyond 6 months" (especially stated by a Health Care Provider-this example could be used to illustrate how important it is to see a health care provider who  is knowledgeable about and supports breastfeeding and discuss briefly how not all of them are), there are many others.  Ask the class for ideas about why people may be nonsupportive.

* Lack of knowledgeable people for mother's to turn to when learning about bfing or to overcome problems.  This discussion could start out with you asking the class how they would learn to do something new (learn to play an instrument, play basketball, etc).   Talk about who they think mother's could turn to (other mother's-a plug could be made for LLLI or other support group, Dr or nurse--mention about how many HCP's aren't knowledgeable about bfing and that the place they would expect to be able to get help may not be helpful at all; they need to ask if someone in the Dr's office has special training to help them succeed or who the Dr refers patients to for bf'ing help ), educate self--encourage they learn about it ahead of time by reading books, take a class. 

*  Appearance that the Health Care Community supports the use of formula and frequently says very little about breastfeeding-giving out formula samples, feeding formula in the hospital without a medical reason, posters and other forms of advertising about formula.  Talk about why they do that and how it subtly influences a persons thinking.  Maybe some mention of the risks of formula could be interjected here and about how it's contradictory that the health care community appear to promote a product that carries risks to health. 

*  When the workplace doesn't provide time or a good place to pump.  Some mention could be made of the expectation/necessity that women continue to work after children are born and that they may want to consider altering their life some for a few years to accommodate being home for children(applicable in the US, don't know about where you are).  Maybe some mention could be made that they keep in the back of their mind as they grow to be adults that when you get used to a certain extravagant lifestyle before you have children,  after the children come along they are committed to a certain income requirement and have to continue to work to maintain it.

*  Pressures of living in a society that frequently places material and financial interests above the interests of mother's and babies.  Somewhat related to the prior influence.  Also, includes governmental policies, influences of corporations, keeping-up-with-your-neighbor attitude.

I would mention that being aware of the subconscious influences/obstacles will make it easier for them to be overcome.
Good luck with your talk
Sally Myer RN, BSN, ICCE, CLC 

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