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Susan Nachman-Srebrnik, LC
Lactation Consultant
23 Nativ Halamed-Hey
Ranana 43340
Israel
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax:(972)-3-566-1914
Phone:(972)-9-771-8274
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Pat,
Believe me, I understand your distress.  Sometimes there are weeks when we feel the
moms are just not getting the picture.  In order for breastfeeding to succeed, 3
elements are necessary:  SUPPORT, MOTIVATION and EDUCATION.  We can provide the
mother with education and some support, but if she isn't motivated, it's not going
to work.  Sometimes it's the opposite.  Few mothers today are lucky enough to be
motivated, have the resources to seek out supportive health professionals AND
have copious support from family/peers/community.  Kind of reminds me of a salmon
swimming up stream.

I've found these statements (or similar) to be effective:
"My job is to help you succeed with your goals."  (Mom understands that you aren't
going to put pressure on her.)
"You seem to be having a problem with xyz.  I'd like to discuss the options with
you."  (I'm not telling her what to do.  I'm giving her the options, pros & cons
of each one and supporting her decisions.)
"Things are really too tough for you to handle right now?  How would you feel about
pumping for a few days?  If you leave the door open, you can go either way."  (This
often works for the mother who is so overwhelmed, she wants to wean cold turkey.
When the pressure is off, she relaxes.  I've seen a number of women return to bf a
few days after informing me that they are weaning.)

I don't get frustrated with parents.  They have so much to digest on their plate.
Can we blame them for their confusion?  In Israel, the majority start out bf in
hospital.  Most give up rather quickly because of bf mismanagement.  LCs are only
one part of the health community.  It's about time the other members pull theri
socks up.  Susan