LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 3 Sep 1998 23:26:09 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (51 lines)
Dr. Nair wrote:..
Finally let me add- Much as I appreciate the effort and interest shown
by the handfull of western trained health personnel in promoting and
protecting breastfeeding, I must mention here that the methods used
appear counter productive - insulting the sentiments and ego, doctor
bashing and confrontational attitudes are hardly the way to popularise a
program.

Dr. Newman responds:
As far as doctor bashing is concerned, I feel that some is required.  We
cannot just say, after mother after mother is inappropriately advised about
breastfeeding, when doctor after doctor (not Indian doctors) refuse to read
the literature, refuse to even consider changing their ways, despite the
American Academy's guidelines which say otherwise to what they are doing,
"Very good, Dr. X, quite right, thank you for your opinion and I'm sure
this
baby is now much better off on formula".  When dialogue is refused, the
weaker person resorts to whatever weapon he can find.  I think that would
account for a lot of the doctor bashing you see and object to on Lactnet.
I
think you will also see all sorts of praise of physicians who at least will
take the time to consider an alternate approach.

Now, if the dust has settled somewhat, I shall add my "doctor's opinion" to
this thread by telling you a true story.  I was in the store yesterday and
I saw a small [4 year old] child deliberately kick his mom twice.  She then
kicked him back. (I'll omit the exchange that followed between she & I)

It occurs to me that Doctor bashing - or bashing anyone that happens not to
be operating along your line of thinking - operates much the same way as
that mom did kicking her kid.  It didn't stop the behavior, didn't educate
as to why the initial kicking was wrong, didn't open up the lines of
communication between the two parties, served only to push the original
offender further into the kicking behavior and caused the mom to lose the
respect of the other adults who witnessed the exchange.

I'm sure it was satisfying to strike back... but that is quite a cost.

If we REALLY want to get people to change how they do things because they
are counterproductive in relation to breastfeeding, then it will serve us
well to put aside our bashing instruments and be more creative in our
approach.

disagreeing, but not bashing,
I remain...
Doctor Gail
Gail Hertz, MD
Pediatric Resident
author of the little green breastfeeding book - disclaimer: owner of Pocket
Publications

ATOM RSS1 RSS2