Exactly, Heather!

Catherine Watson Genna BS, IBCLC  NYC  www.cwgenna.com

On 3/15/2016 1:46 PM, Heather wrote:
> Catherine, I share your observation and your recognition that sometimes, breastfeeding can overwhelm a mother's resources and resilience. Sometimes, the bar for what is 'overwhelming' can be low or high - some mothers struggle willingly and heroically, others not so much. I want breastfeeding to be a real option for mothers who aren't terribly engaged by the idea, as well as those who would walk through fire to do it!
>
> I want all BF mothers, whatever their BF experience, to feel it has enhanced their mothering and their lives. Too many have terrible memories, and not just of BF, but also of the people who helped them.
>
> What has gone wrong, when a mother reports she felt judged, criticised, belittled, ignored? I actually don't think many(any?) of us do or say anything that is intentionally negative in that way....but plenty of mothers feel we do, and of course they are supported in this by the ridiculous myths promoted by marketeers about mothers fighting among themselves all the time (misogyny, anyone?).
>
> It's bad for BF and it's bad for maternal mental health. We should try to be part of the solution.
>
> Heather Welford Neil, U.K.
>> Date:    Mon, 14 Mar 2016 12:37:58 -0400
>> From:    "Catherine Watson Genna BS, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: Latest rant re: Washington Post article
>>
>> No hate mail here! Breastfeeding is important. Mental health is
>> important. Attachment is important. Usually breastfeeding helps promote
>> the other two, but sometimes it can be too much for a mother struggling
>> with numerous obstacles to manage. Then we want to help nurture the
>> attachment between the mother and child (and father and the rest of the
>> family) and help the mother understand that she did the very best she
>> could with the resources she had. This way we help her frame her
>> experience in a way that helps her self-concept rather than eroding it.
>>
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