I really enjoyed Gail Hertz's post about supporting breastfeeding with
information and support without resorting to manipulation via shame.  I
think the strategies she uses and the way she is phrasing her information
sharing is perfect!

I understand what people are getting at when they say:  "Guilt is used to
get people to change other types of behavior."  Yeah, but where is the data
to support that this is effective in terms of getting people to change their
behavior?  While it reinforces feelings of self-righteousness, there isn't
much evidence that it works.  I don't know one  drinker, smoker, or
compulsive overeater who quit because someone shamed them into it.  I do
know smokers, drinkers, and overeaters who quit because someone told them
the truth about what it was doing to them AND provided non-judgemental
assistance in some form or another.

 People don't breastfeed for lots of reasons, some of which Gail
ennumerated.  Often bad information plays a part.  So to correct the bad
information, to offer the necessary support, and to form a trust
relationship sets the stage for success the next time.  To merely say:
"None of this would be happening if you'd breastfed" would shame followed by
resentment.  Then, to protect oneself emotionally, the patient would see
this conversation as abusive, and would simply switch care givers.
Communicating why she changed would reinforce the second doctor to withhold
positive messages about bfg in order to keep a patient.

Thanks, Gail, for describing a better way.

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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