OK, sharpen those pencils (computers)!

I was at the dentist's office today and picked up the Parenting magazine
for November, 1999.  Interesting juxtaposition of pictures which you can
use...

Page 119 - opposite the "New Parents' Survival Guide" is a mother in a
white long-sleeved top, hair disheveled, baby in a blue and white hat and
"prison uniform" outfit.  Breast is bare, mom holding it (though can't
figure out why, other than to look even more "imprisoned" - and the caption
"Nursing may be natural, but it's not always second nature".

Turn the page - See smiling, well-coiffed, well-made-up  mom with eye
contact with her baby while holding the new "xxxxx xxxxxxxxbottle system" 
(Actually, NCAST would have had a negative on the scale as the mom was too
close, but what the heck...)

Do you really this was an accident???

Next page says "Breastfeeding is harder than it looks" as the title, and
the author mentions that she was not able to breastfeed, but she PUMPED
during her entire maternity leave. 

She then continues on about all the other "breast-related hurdles":
engorgement, nipples that become infected, lack of freedom, and then ways
to solve the problems - such as "nipple shields, suggests Wendy Jordan, a
certified lactation consultant..."  (Can you just feel sorry for Wendy who
probably gave a whole bunch of suggestions but is quoted with this as the
FIRST suggestion???)

Well, I used the magazine during my talk today to the nursing staff at the
hospital - just to make them aware of the aggressive anti-breastfeeding
marketing our moms are being subjected to, and why it is so important for
them to be positive, supportive, correct in all their education, and full
of referrals for moms who will be discharged to this "cruel world"...

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA
mailto:[log in to unmask]

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html