Let me first say I have no commercial interest in nursing pillows.
For many years I agreed with Nikki and Gonneke wholeheartedly. Those of
us raised in La Leche League learn early on that all a new mother needs to
breastfeed is a baby and her breasts. But now I think that some of us
carried that a little too far. I know I felt that I somehow got extra
"points" the less I bought. It became almost a badge of honor. And many
people I knew discouraged mothers from buying anything.
However, in looking back, I think this philosophy made my breastfeeding
experience more uncomfortable than necessary (those who saw me and my
family on Montel know that I was a *very* long-term breastfeeder). I am
tall and long-waisted and all three of my babies were born large (my
smallest was 9 lbs. at birth). When I breastfed sitting up, I often felt
strained and uncomfortable, and I think looking back I would have enjoyed
it more if I'd had a good nursing pillow for support, (My bed pillows and
other cushions were not nearly adequate to the task.) The stoic that I
am, I simply endured it.
In my former private practice, I sold nursing pillows and other products
that I believed could truly help and never harm. Some mothers told me
that for them, these products were lifesavers. As a result, I no longer
see *things* as the enemy. (And having been a business owner for ten
years, I also don't see business--even corporations, which my private
practice was--as inherently evil.)
I agree that new mothers acquire many unnecessary and unhelpful things
and that some can complicate their lives (like pacifiers). But not all
things make breastfeeding more difficult. Some of them actually make it
easier (i.e., slings, some pillows for some mothers, and some select
others).
There are many virtues in life we could all stand to cultivate (kindness,
generosity, charity, compassion...), but I no longer consider avoiding
breastfeeding products in that category.
Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC
Lactation Education Specialist, Hollister, Inc.
I am sure that most mothers I work with have enough pillows and cushions
in their beds and sofas to support any baby. Again, note the reliance on
product...
Yes, NIkki! I see so often that breastfeeding is made difficult by all
sorts
of *things* that are said to be a must for breastfeeding. All that is
needed
to breastfeed are a willing baby and a willing mom with at least 1 working
breast. Only in situations that are out of the normal (that is
biologically
normal) scope of lactation things may be needed in order to replace what
is
missed.
I really fear that, besides the formula-business, medicalisation of
breastfeeding is the biggest enemy of the return of the normalness of
breastfeeding.
Using special-made breastfeeding pillows and other gadgets is part of
this.
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