Hi Everyone,
My name is Elizabeth Bauchner and I just joined lacnet. I've lurked
several times before, but didn't join because I thought I would spend
too much time on the computer... Anyway, I am a LLL Leader and mom to
three kids, Briana, 12, Adrian, 5 and Lily, 2. I'm also a freelance
writer, and write a weekly column called Mothering Matters, among other
things.
I have been following the breastfeeding campaign with interest. I was so
happy when it was announced last summer that it would focus on the risks
of not breastfeeding. I did write a column on this current controversy,
which came out on Tuesday, and if anyone is interested, you can read it
here:
http://www.theithacajournal.com/news/stories/20031202/localnews/746683.h
tml
I have to admit I get tired of hearing that doctors don't want to make
moms feel guilty. When my first child was born I was 20 years old,
single and inexperienced, to say the least. I very much wanted to
breastfeed her, and did for over two months, but it was extremely
painful and no one, not my mother or friends or health care providers,
had the skills or information to help me. Knowing what I know now, I
think it was a simple matter of incorrect latch-on, perhaps also thrush,
since I was experiencing deep breast pain. My doctor kept pushing me to
wean to formula, and eventually I did. Never once did he mention that my
daughter might get sick more if I weaned; perhaps he didn't want to make
me feel guilty. However, after I did wean her, she got sick all of the
time. She had many horrible ear infections, high fevers, and respiratory
problems. At least twice we ended up in the ER in the middle of the
night. For a while I did feel guilty; I blamed myself for not
breastfeeding longer and "sticking it out." Now I no longer feel guilty.
I feel angry. My doctor should have explained the risks of not
breastfeeding. I realize times are different now, and there's more
information out there and more women are breastfeeding than in 1991, so
I have worked hard over the years to let my negative feelings go so I
can be the best mom I can be. I can't let this stuff eat away at me
forever. Now my goal is to help new mothers succeed at breastfeeding and
to not be shy about getting accurate information out to the media. I
write about breastfeeding as often as I can.
Thanks for letting me ramble -- one good thing about all of my
experiences is that my daughter has now seen me nurse two younger
children and has come to many LLL meetings. We've talked about how much
I wanted to nurse her and couldn't find the help I needed at the time.
She is very understanding and sweet and definitely thinks breastfeeding
is normal. I can at least take comfort in that.
Oh, and hi to the many people I know here at Lactnet...
Elizabeth Bauchner
Ithaca, NY.
www.elizabethbauchner.info
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