On the subject of promoting breastfeeding and dealing with those who "failed"
at breastfeeding:  We have a prenatal educator who objected to my placing in
the classroom used for prenatal and breastfeeding classes a poster that
included some of Linda Smith's calendar statements such as "Artificial
feeding increases risks of otitis media" etc.  The poster had a picture from
a fasion magazine very French with a mother in an evening gown nursing her
what looks to be 6 month old, some references to working and pumping and was
bright and cheerful.  The educator objected to the term "artificial feeding"
as being negative and likely to cause guilt in those mothers who chose not to
attempt to breastfeed.  Her real basis was a failed experience where she gave
up after 8 days of attempt on 4 hour scheduled feeds as prescribed by her
pediatrician and many bottles and pacifiers.  She also refused to come in for
consultation which was offered free.  When one of our L.C.'s tried to talk to
her sympathetically about her reasons for "failing," she stated that she had
physiological insufficient milk syndrome.  She did not remember that she had
scheduled feeds or given bottles!  When trying to discuss informed consent,
responsibility to provide accurate information to patients, she immediately
went into personal feelings, mean-spirited educational and recruitment
tactics, etc.  Very defensive.  Lesson to be learned here among the many is:
 people forget reality, remember what soothes the conscience best, at least
temporarily.  My personal philosophy is that whatever I do or say, I must be
honest above all else and deal from a loving spirit.  If others choose to
become defensive, ignore what I have to offer or turn and attack me, that is
their responsibility.  In Biblical terms, "some must sow, others water, and
still others may reap the harvest."  My job is to be true to the truth and
leave the timeline to God.  Sometimes that feels like you are beating your
head against a brick wall.  And sometimes it's like eating a wild strawberry.
 But if I do my part and keep on truckin', it will work out in the cosmic
order of things!  IN the case of the educator, it means trying to educate her
and trying to get her to see me as one who truly cares, not just a crusader
or a Don Quixote!

Thanks for letting me rave!

Jane Kershaw
emailto: jfk37188@aolcom