Hi all!
    My husband was listening to Sports Radio as he made dinner (he's a
terrific cook!).  He suddenly called out, "Breastfeeding!"
    I ran into the room (I usually can't be in the same room with Sports
Radio) in time to hear the two commentators debating breastfeeding in public.
 One was telling the other that breastfeeding is no big deal...just a mother
feeding a baby...it's a good thing and nothing to get worked  up about.  The
other complained that it made him feel "unsettled" and that breastfeeding
women should stay home, or perhaps step into a restroom (for real!)
    I had to call in.  My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking, but
what an opportunity!  The call screener was impressed by my credentials and
put me right through.
    First, I congratulated the men for having this discussion during World
Breastfeeding Week.  They were incredulous.  "WBW?  Are you kidding?".  Then
they asked what a Lactation Consultant was.
    Then I explained that one of the strongest reasons that women stop
breastfeeding is because they find it "inconvenient", and that of course they
find it inconvenient when they feel that they must stay home or keep ducking
into restrooms to feed their babies.  I told the "unsettled"  sportscaster
that he felt that way because he wasn't accustomed to seeing breastfeeding.
The 'enlightened' sportsman and I talked a little about health protection for
baby and mom.  Finally, the 'caveman' (self-proclaimed) (actually, I'm sure
that cavemen were very accustomed to breastfeeding ;D) said, "I wasn't
breastfed, and I don't know what I would have gained by getting mother's
milk", to which I hastily replied, "About six IQ points".  Long pause.  Then
he said, "Really?" short pause. "That would put me at about 170."   Right!
    Happy World Breastfeeding Week!
-Debi Page Ferrarello, RN, IBCLC
Breastfeeding Resources, Inc.
Suburban Philadelphia

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