Nina - I agree with your sharings.  The necessity of teaching mothers
using evidence based research - makes their responses even more sad
when they make a choice based on what I consider a selfish motivation.

My most recent example is the mother with a low milk supply at two weeks
postpartum who stated that if her sinus medication is actually going to have
to be eliminated to improve her milk supply - that she refuses to be 
miserable
and would switch to formula rather than using alternative methods for 
comfort.
[...when told that psuedoephidrine can cause a reduction in her prolaction
levels and also her milk supply - she said - "I know - I'd read that". ]
So - I gently probed her history more and found that her whole family has 
lots
 of allergy problems - and even though breastfeeding would be a protective
factor for helping with her baby's future allergic problems - she would quit
nursing rather than stop her meds.   I am amazed at the self-interest she 
showed.
Sharon Mattes, IBCLC, RLC, LLLL, AAHCC
Helping Breastfeeding Mothers since 1973
Natural Beginnings...the informed parent's resource
(972) 495-2805 - www.naturalbeginningsonline.com

"Breastfeeding is the biological norm for infants, providing a support 
system
that provides food, connection, and protection from illness to the nursing 
baby."

From: "Nina Berry" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 10:12 PM
Subject: Re: pumping, breastfeeding,etc


> "Sometimes, we all have to step away from what the studies say and just go
> with what the mother needs."
> Who decides what mothers need?? I would want to be very careful stepping
> away from evidence based practice.  Mothers have the right to determine 
> what
> they need BUT we do well to remember that this right is a right to an
> *informed* choice.  How many mothers have I heard say, 'If only I had 
> known,
> I would have done things differently.'  Our clients have a right to know
> what the evidence says ... We have a responsibility to tell them - they 
> are
> paying us for our professional opinion and support.
> That said, let us remember that health is not the only life-good that 
> people
> pursue.  We are here because health is high on our list of life goods and 
> we
> may be prepared to sacrifice more to secure our health than some of our
> clients.  (Some mothers might prioritize harmony with a partner, or
> employment, or something else over long term health outcomes for their
> children.)  I personally don't have a problem with that and I will support 
> a
> woman in that process and defend her right to that choice, informed 
> choice.
> Nina Berry BA/Bed(Hons) Dip Arts(Phil)
> Breastfeeding Counsellor
> PhD Candidate - "Ethical Issues in the marketing of 'Toddler Milks'"
>
>             ***********************************************

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