12-13-97

Philadelphia Inquirer:

A colleague of mine sent me a copy of Ms. Eisner's editorial (early
December) entitled "Support breastfeeding with kindness and common
sense."  I think it is so sad that people like Ms. Eisner, her husband,
and professional colleagues seem to feel that nourishing and nurturing
their children was such a hardship.

Breastfeeding made her feel like a cow? I would think that feeding
formula (comes from cows) would make her feel this way.  Her husband felt
uninvolved and unimportant because he could not feed the baby? Did he
also feel uninvolved and unimportant because he could not gestate the
baby? Maybe he is not very creative - my husband quickly found hundreds
of ways to be involved in the care of our babies.  Fathers have to become
more comfortable temporarily sharing their wives with the children?
Temporarily? Do they plan to give the kids away?

Women at work embarrassed about pumping? Nursing mothers causing great
discomfort for others? What cave are these people hiding in? I am much
more uncomfortable watching some talk shows, soap operas, ads for jeans
and colognes than I am watching a happy nursing pair.  Mothering IS hard
work - breastfeeding makes it so much easier for me.

Laurie Wheeler, RNC, MN, IBCLC
Louisiana Breastfeeding MediaWatch
Violet Louisiana USA