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Date: | Sat, 2 May 2009 15:44:10 +0200 |
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<<ILCA issued a press release on April 28 regarding the importance of BF
during outbreaks of swine flu>>
Thanks for alerting us, Liz.
I was disappointed with the release, though. I felt it would have addressed
the situation even more effectively, and perhaps got more attention, if
there had been a paragraph straight under the first one saying something
like:
"It is vital that newborn babies are protected by exclusive breastfeeding
from birth. Parents are urged to insist on competent help with
breastfeeding at hospitals and birthing centres, with minimal mother-baby
separation, so that their babies are not put at risk from this disease."
And then the rest of the release.
Instead, "new mothers" (and not "new babies") receive a throwaway mention at
the end, just above the contact details.
Sure, breastfeeding for other mothers "should continue", and it was good to
address any misinformed concerns about passing on medication and illness
through breast milk. But here we have a wonderful opportunity for
highlighting exclusivity and the importance of universal initiation of
breastfeeding in times of crisis (if not at all times).
Perhaps we wouldn't really want to imply that parents don't receive
competent help at hospitals, so my paragraph should be rephrased more
delicately....but this IS a good time to encourage mothers to provide
another few days/weeks of breastfeeding for at least one batch of babies.
Who knows, the mothers may even enjoy the experience after all.
Hm, talk about making a silk purse from a sow's ear or something.....
Best wishes
Jacquie Nutt IBCLC
South Africa
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