I find it perplexing that when people who are supportive of "mothering
through breastfeeding" talk about issues surrounding breastmilk
feeding vs. breastfeeding, the conversation somehow turns to this line
of thinking. Many of us have worked tirelessly with moms who want to
continue mothering through breastfeeding IN SPITE OF separations. This
is not the same situation as the chronic undervaluing of
breastfeeding's many wonders beyond the nutritional quality of the
milk itself. Promoting mother-baby togetherness is not done with an
agenda or judgment about any woman's particular situation. It is done
to maximize that togetherness as much as possible. Promoting ideas
that breastfeeding ties you down or is an inconvenience are not
relevant to addressing the needs of women who find they must separate
for whatever reason.

Saying that "I refuse to support a particular company because they
choose to disregard the ethical practices of my profession" is not the
same as saying, "Everyone should stay home full-time with their babies
and never use a breast pump," or that, "Breast pumps are bad and no
one should ever use them." I think almost everyone recognizes the
importance of these tools for a variety of situations.

It is not okay for Medela to flagrantly disregard the Code. They don't
care what we think--I get that. But I would be shocked if they didn't
feel *some* economic fallout of our refusal to promote, sell, or use
their products or to accept their donations or funding. The problem is
so few LCs and, indeed, LLLLs, are willing to do that. I can think of
an acceptable alternative for each of Medela's products. I seem to
becoming more and more outspoken about Code issues, and have found
myself in a VERY small minority. But all I can do is keep plugging
away, one decision at a time.

Gina Gerboth, IBCLC, Student Midwife
Pueblo, CO

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 1:59 PM, Gloria <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> Just my .02 here.  I was fortunate to have the choice to stay home with my
> children; however, not all women have this choice.

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