So I have been working in lactation in one capacity or another for over 40
years. It does seem that things have swung from one end to the other. When
I started, so much advice was based on stuff that had been handed down, but
not only with no research, but with no real compilation of the observations
over the years by breastfeeding counselors. Then we started doing more
research and sharing information and finding that some of the stuff we had
been advocating was really kind of worthless or even harmful. However, now
we have these carefully prescribed ways of doing things, that don't seem to
take into consideration the organic nature of breastfeeding and how
individual dyads actually do the dance. Sometimes it is all working when,
according to the textbooks, it should not be. And we have a lot of
breastfeeding professionals trying to make a real living, trying to write a
book or a course or come up with some new "method" of breastfeeding that
will generate income to help them to support their families. It has become
rather fraught and far from just a mother and a baby and their cozy little
nest. I am a science nerd, I love reading research and learning new things.
But I am also into herbalism and holistic healing and appreciating the
native wisdom of many cultures around the world. I hope that the new
generation of lactation counselors, of whatever affiliation, can appreciate
the nuances. It is a delicate balance for sure.

Sharon Knorr, BfUSA Breastfeeding Counselor (former LLLL and IBCLC),
Colorado, USA



On Sun, Sep 11, 2022 at 10:04 AM Stephanie George <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> Shekoli:
>
> I agree with Holly. I completely agree that lactation has become western
> medicalized. And it is a problem.
>
> As an Indigenous person, I have teachings about the why and how of
> breastfeeding/chestfeeding; traditional medicines; knowledge vs
> instinct/reflex, etc. When those I work with who are Indigenous or not,
> when they understand the why, they are more likely to fight through their
> pain and other issues.
>
> I say in full honesty, that in some circles, my traditional teachings were
> not just ignored but derided. I am not the only Indigenous person who feels
> this way and there are those who don't feel as I do.
>
> I have moments in my memory from lactation conferences when my teachings
> were seen as less than because there was no RCT to prove them safe. Things
> were said to me directly, which is better than behind my back, I suppose.
> Those same people forgot that there was no study to prove my teachings or
> medicines were unsafe - even though there were thousands of years of use
> which prove their efficacy.
>
> Yes, I know there are exceptions to prove the rule. Most of those come from
> cultural appropriation of our medicines and/or people using the medicines
> without proper training.
>
> When we start focussing on angles or nose touching, always demanding a
> study to back things up, saying things like milk transfer, or saying it
> 'has' to look or be done one way, we get parents to see too many rules of
> engagement and forget that it is the attachment of baby to parents, not the
> breast, that means the most for the overall health of that family in the
> early days and in life.
>
> And that makes all of the difference.
>
> Konikriio (with a Good Mind),
> Steph George,
> the 'eh side of Turtle Island
>
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