Dear Friends:
    The thread on daycare, germs and infant immune systems is interesting.
    Could it be that we are seeing a second generation of myths? The first
generation myth is, "formula feeding is fine, breastfeeding is better if you
can do it." Now the second generation myth is "of course infants and children
are sick a lot. Naturally."
    How much of the education we do is combating second generation mythology?
First generation myth, "Anesthesia in labor is fine, no problem."
The second generation myths are things like, "Babies don't do much in the
first few weeks. Breastfeeding could hurt for two weeks." I would bet that
all of you could come up with your own.
    Another first generation myth, which I can trace back to my grandparents,
"Whatever the doctor says is right." The second generation  myths are things
like disclaimers on childbirth education and breastfeeding videos that say
things like "The information in this film is no substitute for your doctor's
advice." Another second generation myth in practice today is the enormous
power the doctor has to tell a woman she can not breastfeed.
    What mythology will develop from the elective cesarean section? There was
an article about this on the front page of the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer.
I would bet money that the national cesarean section rate will be 30% in 5
years. Then we will have the myths, "Asthma is a natural part of childhood"
and "Pulmonary hypertension happens sometimes." We already have "Vaginal
birth is so risky."
    Scary thoughts.
    Warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MSN, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CIMI
craniosacral therapy practitioner; childbirth educator
Elkins Park (a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; northeastern USA)
supporting the WHO Code and the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative

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