We are having the same discussions here in
Germany. We (AFS, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Freier
Stillgruppen) have a leaflet in print and on
our website, “Breastfeeding doesn’t have any
“advantages”” (it is in German, if you want
to read it anyway, you find it here:
http://www.afs-stillen.de/upload/faltblaetter/FB-Keine_Vorteile.pdf
).
It does spark off at first disbelief and then
discussions.
An example that I like because it sidesteps
the whole guilt-issue: I ask people how they
describe the process of involution of the
uterus after birth. Usually they say,
“breastfeeding speeds up the involution”.
That is true, if your starting point is that
not breastfeeding is normal and thus the
speed of involution you see with not
breastfeeding is the normal speed. If your
change your standpoint and say, the normal
physiology after birth is such that the
hormones that support breastfeeding also
support the involution of the uterus, and
thus the speed of involution you see with
breastfeeding is the normal speed, then
mothers who do not breastfeed have a retarded
involution of the uterus.
Best wishes,
utta
-----------------------------------
Utta Reich-Schottky
Breastfeeding Counsellor Arbeitsgemeinschaft
Freier Stillgruppen AFS
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Morgan Gallagher"
<[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 12:57 AM
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [LACTNET] Need a reference!
Very hard work, and very misunderstood. I am
constantly being
emailed via the youtube account, by irate
mothers demanding I take
down the 'Breast Is No Longer Best' video of
your talk, Karleen.
They rage that everyone knows Breast Is Best,
and some have
complained to youtube that the video should
be banned, as it's
'harmful to the health of infants'.
Clearly, of course, because they have either
not watched it through,
or simply _cannot_ understand the message.
We have so flooded the
culture with 'breast is best', some mothers
have a violent, visceral
reaction to any suggestion that challenges
it. It blots out their
ability to then absorb the next part of the
message, breast is normal
and formula is flawed.
Such a large stick we have made to beat our
own backs with. :-(
Although highly amusing that I also get
complaints form the lactavist
community, as well as massive attacks by the
'breastfeeding is
pornography/paedophilia' community. Equal
opportunity abuse! :-)
Morgan Gallagher
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