In the discussion going on about this thread, this listmother feels the need
to remind ALL participants of the directly proportional relationship between
emotional involvement in an issue, and the need to read posts at least twice
before hitting the 'send' button.  I haven't seen posts that require a
warning notice or a rap over the knuckles, but I see the discussion heating
up and I don't want us to end up slinging insults at each other and
forgetting the real purpose of Lactnet.
Before you send a post, ask yourself:
Could what I am saying be misconstrued, and not for reasons of language?
Could someone perceive this as bashing or flaming?  Is that what I want (and
if the answer to THAT is yes, shame on you and please don't say it in MY
virtual living room) ?
Will this add something new and necessary to the discussion?
And most importantly, will my contribution to this discussion improve the
perception of breastfeeding supporters by someone sitting in on this list to
get a feel for who we are?

I am by no means suggesting we stop telling the truth.  The truth includes
the facts that half of smokers will die of something that has nothing to do
with their tobacco habit, and that most people who drink alcohol do not lose
their livers or their lives or even their health because of it.

That said, I have a question for you, Tony.  You have mentioned several
times feeling negatively valued (by whom?) because you are an HCP.  Many of
the subscribers to Lactnet, including the most active posters, are HCPs as
well as lactation consultants or BF supporters.  It has not been my
impression that HCP and Bf counsellor are mutually exclusive categories.  Is
this how you feel you are treated?  I am sorry, and disturbed, if so.
I also wonder how breastmilk can be so superior if formula is 'perfectly
fine' in many cases.  Are you not contradicting yourself here?  I am very
tired as I am writing so maybe there is something I am missing.  It is hard
to use anything but survival rates to compare the outcomes of BF and
artificial feeding, and the differences between mortalities in those groups
of babies in developed countries is  infinitestimal.  Survival rates are a
very large-caliber tool.  We need a smaller one to distinguish differences
beween artificial and normal feeding for infants and small children.

I am interested to see what turns and twists this thread will take.  Be
nice, children!
Rachel Myr
HCP three times and BF counsellor once, living with four personalities in
one tiny body.

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