----- Original Message ----
From: David Sulman and Anne Altshuler <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 2:58:48 AM
Subject: [LACTNET] Medela's Variable Code Compliance

A few years ago Medela produced a nicely multicultural series of  
posters of breastfeeding mothers and babies .  It bothered me that in  
every one of the posters the baby's eyes were closed.  I believe this  
was a calculated decision to downplay the loving gaze that mothers  
and babies exchange while nursing.  Not everyone agrees with me on  
this, and some have said that perhaps the babies all fell into a  
contented sleep while nursing.  But I remain skeptical that the baby  
would be sleeping in every one of the posters showing different  
mothers and infants.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear friends,


I honestly think that this always gazing into each other's eyes is an oldwifes' tale as many others, that can do possible harm to the self esteem of moms who do not experience this. I hardly ever had infant eyes gazing into mine: my 5 fully and longterm breastfed kids seem to be like mom and close their eyes when they like very much what they are doing. And I hear similar reports from many other moms as well. Having to sit down at least 8 times a day to feed and gaze can very well be one more thing to make breastfeeding difficult and hard to achieve.
And, a baby drinking from a bottle can gaze at mom as well as a baby at breast.

Breastfeeding is the best thing a mom can give her child, both the product and the proces. But please. let's not place it up high on an altar and make it mystic and very special. That can be as harmfull for the survival of breastfeeding as the marketing of breastmilk and breast substitutes. Breastfeeding just being the norm is special (and difficult!) enough.

Warmly,

gonneke,

IBCLC, LLLL in southern Netherlands.





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