I loved this one, since it describes the Texas public health ad ...from
the National Transportation Safety board, where the parent who doesn't
use a carseat goes to hell.
Who says we don't use guilt to influence parents? A hospital that makes
this claim is covering up the real reason that they don't want to go
Baby Friendly. And, folks, that is money.
Sorry to be on the same note,here, but it is the logical conclusion that
comes to my mind every time.
And, at this point, both hospitals and and medical organizations such
as the AAP are complicit with formula companies, and on the take.
Kathleen
Kathleen Bruce RN IBCLC
Listowner Lactnet listserv
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-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kathy Dettwyler
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 1998 12:29 PM
Subject: My note to the doctor about guilt
>Dear Dr. Robert Johnson,
>I am an anthropologist who does research on breastfeeding and weaning
practices, both cross-culturally and in evolutionary perspective. I
speak often at lactation-related conferences and at universities. I
have an entire presentation I do on the issue of guilt and
breastfeeding, titled "Promoting Breastfeeding, Promoting Guilt?". I
have a written version that I would be happy to send you, if you send me
your street address.
>
>I understand your concerns about "bashing" parents over the head and
turning them off to the information you are trying to convey, whether
about car seats, immunizations, or breastfeeding. The problem I see
with the current state of affairs with ob/gyns and pediatricians is that
they actually *withhold* information from parents about the risks of
formula-feeding for fear of making parents feel guilty when they choose
not to breastfeed.
>
>I think parents should have accurate and complete information about the
consequences of their infant feeding choices, and then it should be up
to them to choose how to feed their babies. They should know that
formula increases their child's lifelong risk of many diseases,
including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and breast cancer. They should
know that formula-use increases the mother's risk of breast cancer.
They should know that their child may have a lower IQ if breastfed than
if bottle-fed. If they feel guilty for choosing to formula-feed, after
having been given this information, that would seem to be an appropriate
emotion.
>
>Many public health campaigns actively and deliberately use guilt to
>compel
people to behave in ways that are good for them. Physicians often use
guilt to encourage women not to smoke or drink or use illegal drugs
during
pregnancy, and to have their children immunized. My personal favorite
is
"Larry's Lament," a public service announcement for the radio from the
National Transportation Safety Board in which Larry (one of the
crash-test
dummies) doesn't put his child in a car seat one time, they have an
accident, the child dies, and Larry goes to hell. Another is the
"Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk" campaign. There are also guilt
ads for mammograms, prostate cancer screening, and learning CPR (Red
Cross' "What kind of a wife just stands there while her husband has a
heart attack?").
>
>I think physicians need to use whatever approach they feel will work
>best
with the particular patient they are dealing with -- some patients
respond better to direct orders, others to education, others to
incentives. But it is never acceptable to tell parents that there are
no risks from formula use, that the benefits of breastfeeding "aren't
that significant" or cease after a certain length of time, and that
formula is "just as good as" breast milk. Physicians should always tell
parents the truth about the consequences of their choices. In addition,
physicians should support parents in their decision to breastfeed, and
be knowledgeable about how to handle problems, or be able to refer
patients with breastfeeding problems to board-certified lactation
consultants.
>
>I hope you will send me your street address so I can send you a copy of
>my
talk on guilt.
>
>Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.
>Associate Professor of Anthropology and Nutrition
>Texas A&M University BIG TWELVE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS!!!
>http://www.prairienet.org/laleche/dettwyler.html
>mailto:[log in to unmask]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
-------
Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D. email:
[log in to unmask]
Anthropology Department phone: (409)
845-5256
Texas A&M University fax: (409)
845-4070
College Station, TX 77843-4352
http://www.prairienet.org/laleche/dettwyler.html
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