In a message dated 10/21/0 1:06:30 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:
<< The discussion of what to do if a
Vietnamese woman asked for formula for her newborn came up at the ALCA
conference. (it was a concurrent session and not what the talk was about).
The speaker felt that the mother's wish should be followed and that really
we didn't have a right to tell her otherwise - 'interfering with customs'.>>

To what "customs" are we referring? I find that we are quick to assume some
sort of "cultural" reason for not breastfeeding if the mother doesn't look
like us or speak our language. I believe motherhood is more universal than
that and that it is just too easy to lay the blame on cultural differences.

<< What have others experienced, particularly with women who are living away
from their 'primary' cultural influence? >>

A very rapid enculturation, I am sorry to say. I worked w/ one Vietnamese mom
who had bf 6 children in Vietnam, but could not understand why she should bf
in the US. After all, here she had to go to work and leave her baby.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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