<< Well, I cannot bear this attitude. It medicalises and
 professionalises normal bf and in many cases does a huge amount of
 harm (my observations, anyway). >>

hey, don't tar everyone with the same brush! i AM a medical professional (and
still NOT a nurse!) and of course almost everyone i see has  a problem. so i
AM giving out medical advice, as is everyone else with some kinds of initials
after their name. if that advice is to go to a support group, then why is
that bad? you can't have it both ways. you can't say you want medical types
to embrace the volunteer groups and then criticize them for recommending them.

i don't think anyone who gives birth in a hospital in the usa has much of a
chance at having a normal breastfeeding experience. so they then immediately
qualify for "medicalised" care and advice. of course, many people overcome
these initial obstacles, which might account for the bf rates (oh, but don't
ask what i think about these purported "breastfeeding rates" either!).

when i talk to a mom whose doctor has told her "you must have a pump" and i
don't think she needs one, i tell her so instead of selling her one
regardless. when i talk to a mom who just has some questions or a problem
that a support group can help her with, i tell her to call them.

the workers won't seize the means of production of breastmilk until they get
used to the idea. unless "we" (the factory owners, i mean, wic staff, etc.)
tell them to do the breastfeeding thing, they won't begin to "own" it.

and if you practice in the right way, maybe you can encourage it. i am now
beginning to have patients call me back about their next baby, especially the
ones who gave up on the first one . . . and to tell me in great detail how
they may be referring someone to me who has not responded to all the great
advice they have been giving them - usually words straight out of my mouth or
off my handout sheets. if that's not women coopting breastfeeding, i don't
know what is. they're taking over my job! and that's wonderful.

carol brussel IBCLC
medical and still not a nurse

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