Diane wrote:

<< Re: the ped whose practice didn't accept bottle-fed babies:

I see another possibility:  If a doctor is popular and good, so that women
are eager to use that office, putting out a blunt message like this could be
a really good thing, though I'd elaborate.  Let's say s/he was talking about
smoking, and the office creed was this:  "I work in partnership with my
clients.  I do my best to meet their needs, but I expect them to do their
best to stay healthy.  Smoking is a significant risk factor for many
illnesses.  If you are a smoker and prefer not to quit, please find another
health care provider.  If you would like help in quitting, we can work on it
together."

This doctor would 1) be able to work with a healthier clientele and 2) be
encouraging smokers to quit, whether s/he actually saw them or not.  Now
just substitute breastfeeding...
--
Diane Wiessinger>>

I know this is a bit old, but wanted to post on this. I agree w/Diane. My
children's former ped (she moved away) was very popular with bf moms and
homebirth moms--very supportive of both and became IBCLC right after moving.
(Bf her own children for years, too). She finally chose not to accept any
more clients who planned to AF their babies for exactly the reasons you
state. She felt that she could not do her job well if parents didn't begin by
making healthy choices themselves. She didn't order anyone to bf, she just
made it clear how important it is to the health of children.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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