Jean -

Once again, excellent post re: nipple pain, etc.!

There's a sort of dualism going on when we're working with our clients. On
the one hand, there's our professional "language", the process of assessment
& evaluation & diagnosis that goes on in our heads as we work to figure out
what's going on & try to resolve the problem. On the other hand, I've found
that the way I talk with the mother is strongly focused on function *for her
& her baby*. So I'm working in 2 modes simultaneously - the "medical"
method/language/thought process, and at the same time translating that
professional knowledge into language oriented to meeting *this mother's*
needs. The words are oriented always to HER - HER experience of what's going
on, what we can do to help it work FOR HER. But all the knowledge and skill
we may possess won't do her any good if it's not shared with her in ways
that are relevant to her.

That's important because the goal of "successful" BFing (a term I NEVER
use!) isn't the same for everyone. We can all agree that no one wants
painful nipples, or a baby that isn't thriving, or a mother that resents the
process of BFing. I see our work as helping women remove the barriers that
get in the way. So if a mother "only" nurses for 3 weeks, I want her to have
made that decision from what I think of as a position of strength, not
because she "gave up" because her nipples hurt or some ninny told her that
her "milk wasn't good enough" or any of those other non-reasons we all hear
so often.

So, yes, I absolutely agree with what you say. Just throwing in my 2 cents'
worth; don't mean to be preaching to the converted here, just expanding on
what you said.

Cathy B.

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