Dear Friends:
Pam Hirsch brings up some good points.
I recall at least one study, about smoking, where the MD saying "Stop
smoking" was sufficient for most people to change their habits.
If healthcare professionals are strong about "Must use carseat" and
"Must put baby on back for safe sleeping", and are unequivocal in their message,
folks listen. They may or may not choose to do what is said; however, the
major reduction in Crib-Deaths in the US (maybe even the world???) has come from
the change in infant sleep position. So there is positive impact on the
public from a strong message.
We NEVER say, "Well, put your baby on its back to sleep if you have the
resources to do that, and it is convenient to do so. And if you put your baby
on its tummy to sleep sometimes, that's alright. Any back sleeping position
is better than none." (concept courtesy of James Akre in his lovely book,
'The Problem with Breastfeeding'.)
When healthcare professionals are strong about "Must breastfeed" then
more of the public will get the message that it is important. Not
everyone.......just more.
This is the ultimate kindness, to give people the messages that will
make the most difference in their lives, for the best outcomes.
At the same time, I've finally learned (after years of struggle) that it
is not my personal responbility to increase the bf statistics in the US with
every single postpartum woman that I see. I have to help that mother at that
time see the importance of breastfeeding, or at least human milk, in her
life and that of her baby. I need to listen to her story, and do my best to see
the world from her eyes, while keeping my intention for the dyad to do the
best thing for their health. If she doesn't want to breastfeed, then pump and
bottle-feed, which is way better than any alternative.
That doesn't change the facts that babies are handicapped from the start
of life if they are fed artificially, even as this mother does what works
best in her life.
Working with healthcare professionals is another story. There is no
excuse for healthcare professionals to waffle on the importance of breastfeeding.
How to make that message palatable, and sustain my own credibility is a
challenge of my new job.
What do you all think?
warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE
Lactation Consultant, Philadephia Department of Public Health
Maternal-Child Adjunct Faculty, Union Institute and University
Film Reviews Editor, Journal of Human Lactation
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com
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