Lisa, I'm sorry, but I don't think there are any "stupid" excuses for not
continuing to breastfeed. If a woman feels she can't go on, I don't think
she should have to make excuses to anyone, including (and maybe ESPECIALLY)
to people like us. If we truly promote choice, then we have to accept that
others may make what we consider inappropriate choices, but to label these
reasons "stupid" just gives fodder for people like the "Bottle-feeding
without guilt" woman. Let's not get into this kind of thing. Let's just try
to figure out how to make it easier for women to CHOOSE to hang in there and
overcome problems.
This really pushed a button, as you may have noticed : ). When I feel
exasperated with women because I think they could have kept going, I just
always remind myself that I have no idea why a woman chooses either to never
start breastfeeding, or not to continue, just as I have no idea what her
life is like, what her history is (was she sexually abused, for example?),
or who in her life thinks breastfeeding is important or just plain dumb.
Off my soapbox for now.
Leslie Ayre-Jaschke, BEd, IBCLC
Peace River, Alberta, Canada
|