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Subject:
From:
Andrea Tran <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 1 Nov 2000 16:30:55 -0700
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When I was in my early days as a childbirth educator I was at a
conference where a Lactation Consultant spoke.  I went up to her
afterwards and said I struggled with how to present BF as the best
option without making the bottlefeeding mothers feel guilty.  Her reply
was "Why not make them feel guilty?  If someone is doing something that
is wrong isn't it your responsibility to tell them?"

I was floored, and frankly was "not there" yet.

I'm there now.

If we unequivocally believe that breastfeeding is a vastly superior way
to feed babies because it keeps them healthier, how can we look at a
woman and say "It's simply your choice" ?

Is smoking an okay choice either way, is car seat use and okay choice
either way?  Is drug use a choice?

We have sound research to back us up, and I believe if the benefits that
are conferred from breastfeeding were delivered any other way a mother
that could breastfeed, refused to, she would be considered neglectful.

A mother that can't breastfeed (who wanted to) will not feel guilty -
she will feel grief and it's important not to confuse the two, because a
mother who feels grief should be helped to come to terms with that
grief, to be encouraged to mourn that loss.  From my standpoint, a
mother who feels guilty knows she is making a poor or selfish choice and
as far as dealing with those feelings - she's on her own.  I have no
intention of trying to help someone who has made a poor choice feel
better about themselves.

I'veprobably said enough.

Andrea Tran, RN, IBCLC (I love writing those initials)
Boulder, Colorado

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