In this thread on whether successful, professional women have more
trouble adapting to breastfeeding's unpredictability, we have to watch
out for a "selection bias."  As LLLLs and LCs, we work with many women
who are often capable and successful in other aspects of their lives,
but are having great difficulties with breastfeeding.  But if they
weren't goal-oriented people, they wouldn't have come to us -- their
personalities aren't necessarily the problem, but they're *why* we see a
disproportionate number of mothers who fit this profile attacking their
breastfeeding difficulties.  That's also why, statistically, these
older, well-educated women tend to be more successful at breastfeeding.
Under current circumstances in the U.S., it sadly takes some real
motivation and confidence to successfully breastfeed.

"Relaxed" mothers who are less educated, less assured or less driven
tend to have already given up on breastfeeding before taking the
initiative of calling for help.  Or they didn't even attempt it, because
this basic human activity is increasingly seen as something beyond the
ken of the ordinary Jane.  (In fact, so many mothers are *amazed* at how
easy breastfeeding is, once that early learning-curve is done. "Why,
*anybody* could do this!")

We're probably also seeing mothers at their most stressed moments --
even a pretty mellow person can turn wildly Type-A when it looks like
their breastfeeding just might not work out.


Margaret Wills
LLLL (in the count-down for "the test.")

P.S.  The term "professional women" implies that some of us are just
amateur females.

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