>
> Date:    Sat, 9 Aug 2008 20:07:04 +0100
> From:    Morgan Gallagher <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: how do people not know?
Morgan wrote
>  if everyone in ante-natal classes heard it, you can bet it wouldn't
> be 'unknown' for very long.
>
Well, in Sweden people aren't told about the risks of formula either,  
though we are carefully told about the benefits of breastfeeding. And  
even though I think that shift of viewpoint is very important I doubt  
it coud stand alone. It is an educational challenge how to present  
this fact ( i.e. formula risks) in a way that 1) influences the  
mothers without blaming and 2) gives us the tools required to be able  
to carry the breastfeeding out, NOT like some kind of obligation for  
a particular time, like 6-9 months, but as an act of love and a part  
of the mother-baby relation. I think Sweden has failed a bit here,  
there are quite a few "obligation-breastfeeders" around who wean with  
a sigh of relief when they find it socially acceptable. Or they  
experience "breastfeeding pressure" as the health care can't help  
them out with their problem and don't dare to suggest bottle/formula,  
maybe because it makes the statistics, followed yearly nationally,  
look ugly for their unit. or maybe merely because they are told to  
promote breastfeeding.
The approach of health staff who meet mothers (to be) is very  
important. Don't repeat Sweden's mistakes.

Marit Olanders
editor of Amningsnytt, Swedish bf magazine
breastfeeding counsellor in Amningshjälpen
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