<<Hello everybody,
I read Wendy's and Stephanie's notes about MD's who are completely
unsupportive of bf, and make the poor mothers miserable, and I felt like I've
been there..I run into this kind of problem all the time, and I am an MD
myself!

In the past I tried to tell doctors and nurses about bf, as we know it, but
their response was too often like the one Wendy got, so I stopped. I feel
bad about this, but somehow lost the energy to fight this battle. I help
every bf mother, even not in my regular practice, I do this on a voluntary
basis, at any time, but I don't confront their doctors. I'm sure I should
do more to spread bf information, but I had some really unpleasant
experiences, even though I alwas do my best to respectful and gentle.

I found bf a little like religion or politics -its a very emotional subject,
and poeple, including doctors, usualy havefixed ideas about this.Of course
there are cases when doctors simply don't know enough about bf,and are happy
to learn, and you can know this after one sentence.
I hope I don't sound too pessimistic - I am a basically optimistic person,
but sometimes I must vent my darker side...

Mira Leibovich, MD>>


Dear Dr. Leibovic,

We all sympathize with your efforts and feelings of frustration about trying
to educate unknowledgable doctors, nurses, (often our peers) or other
"professionals" about breastfeeding.   You are so right about the how
emotional the issue is and how resistant many are to any education or
enlightenment.

This is one of the major reasons that mother to mother support groups like La
Leche League,  Nursing Mother's Council, and Nursing Mothers of Australia,
etc. are so important.  They share information and in a sense help insulate
the mothers who attend from some of the bad advice they receive.  The mothers
hear experiences from other mothers of how their nursing was affected by the
good or bad advice received.  Over the years, I have seen some of the same
doctors who gave out horrible breastfeeding advice, (NEVER feed your baby
before 3 hours, NEVER let that baby use you as a pacifier, supplement if the
weight gain is not just so, NO, don't  nurse more because that won't make more
milk and  will wear you out, your milk has to have time to fill up again, you
either have the milk or you don't, etc.)  gradually change, and even begin
saying some positive things.  They will often learn more from the mothers
making casual, positive comments, and seeing their healthy happy babies than
from someone they know is trying to influence or teach them. (Human nature is
more powerful than intellect, makes you worry about the human race, doesn't
it?)

Successful breastfeeding mothers need to be strongly encouraged to talk to
their doctors.  If you think about it, they don't see the doctors as often
because their babies are so healthy.  So what do the doctors see the most?
Sick babies, on formula, and those where breastfeeding is NOT working well.
They can begin to feel that breastfeeding is just problematic.  So when the
mom takes the healthy breastfed baby to a well baby checkup, and the doctor
pronounces Junior thriving and plump, she needs to use the opportunity to do a
bit of education and know she is helping other mothers by saying, "Oh I just
love nursing Junior.  We nurse frequently, all day long, everywhere, even in
bed a night, and he is such a pleasure!"  Then she needs to be prepared to
deal with any response she receives in a positive manner.  Sometimes this is
discussed at the support group meetings.

 I wish all breastfeeding friendly doctors and nurses would actively  work
with and support their local breastfeeding groups.  Get the information about
the meetings.   Encourage all mothers to attend at least a few of these
meetings so they make a contacts and hopefully a few friends.  I wish they
would offer their services to perhaps speak at one of their workshops or
conferences.   If  worried or doubtful about what goes on in these meetings,
they should attend some.  Meet and gain the confidence of the lay Leaders and
cultivate a relationship with them, share ideas and information. The Leaders
will be thrilled and will bend over backwards to please the professional when
they feel a strong ally in the medical profession.

Joining you in frustration at how supposedly "educated" people can ignore all
the facts.  Sometimes when the front door doesn't work, you have to go around
the house and in another way.
Sincerely,
Jane Bradshaw RN, BSN, IBCLC
Lynchburg, VA