Jocelyn,
I think that exclusive breastfeeding to meet the LAM rule is
generally considered to be so unattainable that women won't do it.
This is wrong, as far as I am concerned, but I think that's the
perception.  Pacifiers, scheduled feedings, and ABM supplementation
are so ingrained in our culture that it is thought to be unrealistic
to even discuss exclusive breastfeeding.  In my role as a volunteer
breastfeeding counselor I talk about LAM and refer women to one of
the excellent books on the subject for more information.  Mothers I
encounter have some awareness about LAM and are delighted to learn
how effective it really is.

On a personal level, I was shocked to learn in my mid-20s
(pre-children) how much I *didn't* know about my own body.  The
eye-opener was Toni Weschler's book, _Taking Charge of Your
Fertility_.  I think that healthcare providers assume that women
don't care about this stuff, but many of us are interested, even
fascinated, and feel empowered by understanding our fertility.  I
felt that I had been let down by my HCPs who could have and should
have made basic fertility information part of our normal discourse.

Margaret
Longmont, CO

>  A woman's comprehension of LAM is the same as her understanding of
>other contraceptive methods. Why do many family planning providers
>remain unconvinced of LAM despite the evidence?  Are mothers being
>informed of LAM as a contraceptive method? In your clinical
>practice, have you educated women on LAM? If so, are women receptive
>of the idea or do they find more comfort in using other
>contraceptive methods and why? Please share your thoughts and
>feelings with me as I feel strongly about this topic.
>
>Jocelyn Kuhn, Student Nurse
>College of Nursing at UND-Grand Forks

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