RE: Just ask her!
This reminds me of one day when I received a call from a very distressed
and panicky mother who was nursing her 17-month old and whose dentist
recommended weaning cold-turkey. I tried to listen between the lines
and offered many options. It turns out that she wanted a quick, easy
(sic) way to wean over-night!
After spending about 20 minutes on the phone, only to hear her decide to
continue the weaning process, I was very discouraged.
Later that morning, I received a call from a mother of another 17-month
old who asked in a concerned voice,"My baby's dentist told me that I
have wean before she (!) will see him. Can you tell me how?"
So I launched into various weaning methods and recommended several
books, all without my customary counseling and asking for her thoughts.
After my cut-and-dried explanation, she asked, (in tears) "You mean I
really have to wean? But I don't want to!" she cried.
After kicking myself, we discussed appropriate reasons for weaning
and she discovered that she didn't have to wean, after all. She hung up
determined to continue nursing.
I learned the hard way to *always* ask exactly what the mother's wishes
and goals are. After such a crummy day, I called up this local dentist
and pretended to set up an appointment for my 2 year old, who by the
way, is still nursing.
The receptionist politely informed me that the doctor will not see
patients until they are fully weaned. I was prepared and quoted from
the AAP guidelines and several other sources. I even offered to send
the office some references, but they refused.
Unfortunately, the dentist is still in business and advertises
prominently on a public broadcasting station that caters to families and
children.
So, from now on, I just ask the mom!
Batting 000,
Heidi S. Roibal in Albuquerque, New Mexico
***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
