I'm just catching up on my Lactnets, so have just read Linda's post on guilt
and just had to respond with a resounding AMEN.   As an OB RN and an IBCLC, I
like most of us have been accused of "talking moms into breastfeeding" as
though I coerced them by "making them feel guilty" if they didn't bf.  We are
constantly cautioned at all costs not to make them 'feel guilty".  And I rage
against that.  Guilt is a function of the conscience.  It is doing what you
know you shouldn't or not doing what you know you should.  It is your
conscience.  I don't give it to you.  Therefore, when I recently held
mandatory inservices for all the OB staff in the hospital I worked in (a real
accomplishment in my hospital),  I was very conscientious (pardon the pun!)
about including an editorial I came across in the Nov. 17, 1994 Lancet which
said,

 "Too often, a mother who indicates her intention to bottle feed is told
nothing more about breastfeeding.  Health workers defend their restraint on
the grounds that they do not want to make mothers feel guilty.  However, such
guilt as there may be in this context has not been adequately studied, nor is
it clear which mothers if any need such protection.  If a mother chooses to
bottle feed, her choice should be respected; but it is surely desirable to
give clear and complete information about both methods of feeding.  If a
mother is uncertain, or if she really wants to breastfeed but finds it
difficult, or if she had a bad experience previously, then she needs help.
 She needs a warm chain of skilled support, not cold assurance that failure
does not matter."

I was gratified when a nurse came out and excitedly told me that she had just
"talked a mother into breastfeeding"!  Let's get the word out, the medical
community at large recognizes the importance of "talking women into bfing"
even if your corner of the world doesn't.  We're the "warm chain"!!!