http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/18/opinion/sunday/overselling-breast-feeding.html An interesting article. My response on Facebook was this, and perhaps I will send it in to the Times. An interesting article. I think that we, as lactation consultants and nurses, who actively support breastfeeding mothers... are only as strong as our weakest link, and if there are those who use the 'guilt" card to strongly encourage or coerce a mom to breastfeed, one needs to rethink this tactic, although health providers freely use guilt to force patients to do a myriad of things... stop smoking, use carseats (all good things)..but the technique is the same. No one likes to be forced to do anything, and it is a reprehensible approach at best. Research is clearly in favor of the benefits health wise, of bf, but the real kernel of the issue lies in the human connection that is formed when mother and baby can connect in this way. I believe it is the key to human connection, to human relationship, and to building a parental bond that helps out children as they grow, and wean from breastfeeding, still needing our care and that bond to grow and make good choices. Mothers who do not wish to breastfeed should never ever be made to feel guilty or coerced in any way by any zealous lactation consultant, MD, etc. the truth should be told, and not undersold, as well. It's up to women to make the choice,and motherhood is not measured in ounces. However, this article belies the anger of its author. I don't think breastfeeding has been oversold. I think pumping and bottlefeeding breastmilk has been oversold. No one wants to cuddle up to a cold pump. But their own child? Our country has failed to provide women with adequate paid leave so that they can have time with their child, and that is the biggest travesty, and idea that has been oversold, that families do not need paid time off. The US is woefully behind the times in this regard. Kathleen Bruce RN IBCLC Originator of Lactnet, listserv for breastfeeding professionals. Kathleen B. Bruce RN BSN IBCLC HeritageWoolSamplers https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeritageWoolSamplers [log in to unmask] Williston, Vermont USA *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome