As I have read the posts related to cesarean and breastfeeding, several issues come to mind. First, there is a striking similarity in the way we compare "vaginal births" to cesareans and "breastfed" babies to artificially-fed babies. IMO, the relevent comparison is between unidisturbed births and cesarean births, just as the relevent comparison is between exclusively breastfed babies and artificially-fed babies. If we are the first to argue that breastfeeding is the biological norm and must be protected on that basis, making any intervention a risk to be proven worthy, how can we make any other argument about birth?

As far as I know, only APPPAH has committed to understanding the experience of the infant in utero, during birth and the post-partum period. (http://www.birthpsychology.com/index.html). From the extensive material that I have read over the years, I have become convinced that cesarean birth is highly traumatic for the infant. I think one of the reasons we accept artificial-feeding and medicalized birth as simply one of two choices is because we have completely ignored their impact on the infant. I think if we would open our hearts to the psychological life of the infant, we would have very different discussions about this subject.

IMO, birth and breastfeeding are of the same continuum. I am sorry to see us focus on how to bandage the situation for the wounded, traumatized and sometimes brutalized babies so that they may be able to breastfeed. I would much rather see us focus on avoiding the trauma in the first place.

I strongly urge everyone to read this article:
Undisturbed Birth: Nature's Blueprint for Ease and Ecstasy
By Sarah J. Buckley, M.B., Ch.B.: Dip. Obst.

IMO, we struggle so much with breastfeeding in the US, b/c we have made it impossible for babies to breastfeed without our incompetent help. I no more believe that a woman who chooses a cesarean is stupid than I do a woman who chooses to artificially-feed, but I think both are tragic choices, for everyone.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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