Jan,

I think the "women of today"  have much more  of a fear of not succeeding
- much less faith in their  bodies  and their abilities than "the women of
yesteryear".

I think society plays a big part.  Just look at advertising and the models
used.  The message is that to be "right" our bodies need xyz proportions.
Well, gee, If my body doesn't look like the clothing store model's body
then it must not be right.  If it  doesn't measure up  to that, how can I
have faith that  it measures  up in other areas... childbirth,
breastfeeding...   So many women say they'll "try" to breastfeed   -- do
these women have faith in their body's ability  to provide milk as a sole
food for their baby's first 6 months?   There is much more out there that
says  "you can't  do it" than that says "YOU CAN DO IT".  Formula "gift
packs"  are the ultimate  "you can't do  it" hit  at  an extremely
vulnerable time - the point when  the woman leaves the supportive arms of
the hospital.  So what do we do .... give her a tangible "gift" that  says
YOU CAN'T DO IT".

If you were embarking on a car  trip to somewhere you had never  been,
what kind of message would a bon voyage gift of a bus ticket be???  Is that
a thoughtful gift?  It says  "you can't get there on your own, you'll have
to abandon your car and you probably shouldn't be trying this trip anyway
because you'll never find your way there without help."

Compare that with a gift of fresh fruit and water, or gift of a map and
suggestions of places  to  see on the trip.

I've said enough.   Where did that soap box come from anyway?

Gail
Gail Hertz, MD, IBCLC
Pediatric Resident
author of the little green breastfeeding book - disclaimer: owner of Pocket
Publications