Amen, Heather!!

Amy Wagner, BS, RNC, IBCLC


Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 4, 2015, at 8:37 AM, heather <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>> To say that saying "Breast is best" is akin to emotional breastmilk
> 
> 
> Think you mean 'blackmail', Alicia :)
> 
>> is
>> really extreme to me. So what is an IBCLC, LLL Leader, or other
>> breastfeeding supporter/advocate to do? Never promote breastfeeding because
>> it might offend someone? Are we to never talk about the benefits of
>> breastmilk and the risk of artificial milk?
> 
> 
> ***Of course *** we talk about both these important and true issues.
> 
> Of course we promote information and education.
> 
> It's the glib-sounding slogan I have a problem with.
> 
> *Where * and *to whom* do you say 'Breast is Best'???
> 
> To the woman struggling with breastfeeding and longing to make it work?  Why not forget  one-size-fits-all quips, and just help and support her in that?
> 
> To the woman who tried to breastfeed, and stopped because it was painful and overwhelming for her? Why not instead affirm her strength and her struggle and listen to her story?  How likely is she to share it, if you share a flippin' tagline with her?
> 
> To the woman who (for whatever reason - who are we to judge whether it's a 'good' reason not?) never breastfed at all? In what way would telling her what she *should* have done (because it was 'best' ) help her now? Why not be open to listening to her story if she wants to tell you? Do you think she will trust you not to judge her, if you sloganise to her?
> 
> To the pregnant woman sitting in an antenatal class, worried about whether she will be able to do the 'right' thing by her baby?  How open will she be if she has problems later on, and wants to know you will support her with options suited to her, if she thinks you start from a blanket piece of (what sounds like) dogma?
> 
> To the woman who has already used formula because she knew of no other way to address her problems and wants to get back to full breastfeeding? Won't a slogan sound like you are scolding her?
> 
> 
> I have to respectfully disagree that avoiding a well-worn phrase/cliche (useful though it might have been 40 years ago) makes me ethically irresponsible, or that I have given in to the formula marketeers.....whooooooo NO WAY!!!
> 
> The slogan has been taken over by those same marketeers, if you want another reason to avoid it :)
> 
> 
> Heather Welford Neil
> NCT bfc, tutor, UK
> 
>> If you assert that even saying
>> "breast is best" is emotional blackmail then the artifical milk companies
>> have truly "won." That just shows that Similac's recent ad campaign is
>> definitely taking root in the IBCLC community and that we are buying into
>> breastfeeding as being just another "belief" that some mothers have as
>> opposed to a scientifically proven and normal way to nourish humans since
>> the beginning of humanity. In my opinion, to not discuss the many benefits
>> of breastfeeding and the risk of formula feeding because someone might get
>> offended is not ethically responsible. It denies the mothers we serve their
>> right to make informed and educated choices.
>> 
>> Take Care,
>> 
>> *Alicia C. Simpson MS, RD, IBCLC, LD*
>> Maternal and Pediatric Dietitian
>> International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
>> Main Office: 1164 North Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306
>> *Now serving patients at our new offices in Alpharetta/Roswell *
>> Phone: 678-607-6052
>> Fax: 770-909-1402
>> Email: [log in to unmask]
>> *www.peapodnutrition.org <http://www.peapodnutrition.org>*
> 
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