>Jennifer writes:


<snip>

>quite a few similar scenarios. I do not assume a mother really wants to bf
>just b/c she calls me, but if she says she does, I do everything I can, as if
>she means it.
>Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA


Me too. I don't think you can assume anything. I ask the mother what
she wants to do.  I say 'how are you hoping this situation will
develop?'  or something similar...this allows her space and
'permission' to tell me her feelings and fears and preferences. Then
I take what she says at face value, and we work on that.

It allows for some honesty, too. For example, she may say 'well I
want to breastfeed, but I don't want to if it means feeding at
night/feeding often/not knowing how much the baby is eating etc etc.'
Cue for some honesty on my part about how bf works, and what she may
be risking if she tries to tailor the experience to schedules etc.

I am not at all happy with the idea that bf supporters should try and
guess what the mother 'really' wants to do.

Just ask her!

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upn Tyne UK

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html