Teresa Pitman wrote:  But if nobody ever shows pictures of older babies
nursing, of various mothers nursing, how will we change the culture? As long
as we accept that these things are "unacceptable" it will keep on being that
way.

Years ago I worked in an agency with many young women (social workers). Many
were having babies, and most bottle fed or breastfed for a short time. I
bought the first set of INFACT posters (showing photos of breastfeeding
babies and of bare breasts, with funny captions) and put them all around my
office. I got some comments at first. But people got used to them, over
time. They generated discussion. I talked about nursing my own children for
many years. Pregnant women started dropping in and talking to me about
breastfeeding, and calling me for help after the baby was born. They'd drop
in for staff lunches and bring their nursing babies and then other pregnant
women would talk to them. The culture in that office completely changed, and
by the time I left, the breastfeeding rate was 100% and many of the babies
were nursed for two years or longer.

I think it's okay if people are shocked or put off at first. It's often how
we react to something new. But if we keep seeing those kinds of images, keep
hearing people talk about this, we get used to it. It starts to seem
almost...normal.

 

Thank you Theresa, for reminding us that we can influence our culture.  Your
recount is beautiful and inspiring.  That is seen many times in
breastfeeding support groups and it does influence many.  Some turn away
from it; they do as much as they can.  Maybe they will do more with their
next child.

Warm regards,

Lee

 

Lee Galasso, MS, LLLL, IBCLC, RLC

[log in to unmask]

"Children Are Born with the Right to Breastfeed"

 


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