>I've been trying for over an hour, while I read 36 posts, to find an
>acceptable, "mature" way to appeal to others of my profession for solace.
>There isn't one, so I'll just put it out there.

Patricia,
I, and I suspect many others on Lactnet, know exactly how you feel when a
mother quits like this. What we have to remember is that we can support,
assist, and encourage a mother to breastfeed, but we cannot make her
decisions for her. It's her life, her baby, etc and she has the
responsibility of making decisions about them. Many times, I have seen the
difference the mother's commitment or determination makes. Like the famous
quote goes 'Breastfeeding is a confidence trick - if you believe it will
work then it usually does' (or something like that). But this belief must
come from the mother herself.

You're doing a great job. Keep going, and focus on the mothers who *really*
want to breastfeed, and do. Do what you are able for the less-committed,
but don't allow them burden *you* with *their* decisions.

Joy Anderson IBCLC, NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor (for 10 years),
LC in Private Practice for 5 years,
Perth, Western Australia
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