I was a bit confused about this column, and the chunk of posts I
managed to read. It seemed to me a lot of the discussion was,
unthinkingly,  equating breastmilk feeding with breastfeeding....as
if there really was *no* difference, and as if support for
breastfeeding actually means 'forceful persuasion to use a
breastpump' . Seemed to me that many posters did not see a difference.

It is oppressive to live a situation where mothers automatically use
a breastpump, where the use of a pump makes it easier for mothers to
separate from their infants, where the culture celebrates
breastpumping.

Of course, when maternity leave is short, many mothers have no
alternative. When the culture celebrates scheduling and limiting
contact, and where truly responsive parenting is at best thought of
as an unrealistic indulgence, and at worst a means of creating
wickedness (thank you, the Ezzos), their choices are even more
limited.

Breastpumps are part of this culture, sadly.

(Please don't anyone remind me, on or off list, that they are useful
in certain circumstances, and essential in others. I don't disagree
with that (though hand expressing can be more effective and easier,
and it's always cheaper! )

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK

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