There is a fine line between giving information and making mothers feel
guilty.
I was warned in my hospital not to make mothers feel guilty.  When  I
pursued the subject in more depth, firing questions to those who were
warning me, the bottom line was that I was not allowed to tell them the
truth about the risks of not breastfeeding.  I was supposed to maintain
the position that breast milk and artificial were the same and that
whatever they decide is fine for their baby.  Of course I do not agree
to hide the truth from parents, and will not do so.
So I start my daily lecture this way:
I am not here to convince you to breastfeed.  Everyone knows that breast
milk is the only food for human infants which supports optimal growth,
health , development, etc, and that babies who are not breastfed are at
higher risk for blah, blah, blah, and moms who do  not breastfeed are at
higher risk for blah blah blah.
 Thus, by not telling them, I tell them everything in about one
sentence.
It is informational, and not guilt producing.  You have to make informed
decisions if you decide not to breastfeed.
If I later meet a  non-breastfeeding mom in the pediatric ward with her
baby who is hospitalized with severe diarrhea I do not say anything.
THAT would be making her feel guilty.
Esther Grunis, IBCLC
Lis Maternity Hospital
Tel Aviv, Israel

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