Cathy writes:
"I drew
the only logical conclusion a new mother could draw - it was  ALL MY FAULT
that the baby didn't nurse "right", that I was DOING IT ALL WRONG (which I
could tell because we in no way resembled the picture of mother-baby bliss
that were described in the book), and that I was as a result A TERRIBLE
MOTHER."

Do you know that, even with the vast expanse of knowledge, techniques, and
a room full of books to choose from, women today, in 1999, still feel as
you did if they don't have the breastfeeding experience that they had hoped
for or that their friend had or that they were sure they would have after
reading a current "how to" breastfeeding book. Disappointment hurts! And,
knowing how important the job of Mothering is, it is so easy for us to feel
that we are "terrible mothers" when we don't reach an ideal we have chosen.
Reading the WAB is not a prerequisite for feeling that one doesn't measure up.

It may be even *more* devastating for a woman today who has breastfeeding
classes, many books to choose from, friends who had no trouble
breastfeeding, and even Board Certified Lactation Consultants (!)--all
there to assure her smooth entry into breastfeeding.  But her birth doesn't
go as planned, her baby can't latch on, her nipples are so sore, the baby
takes all of her time, she is tired, and she can see no hope of ever
enjoying this thing that is so hard to learn. She feels that it is all her
fault, even if we assure her that it is the fault of the culture, or the
hospital protocol, or the Fates.

Besides, if one could learn to breastfeed from a book, we'd all be out of a
job, wouldn't we?

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was the book that was needed in 1958. One
of the excellent technical books that we treasure today would have been of
little use at that time. Breastfeeding was a vestigal biological experience
in the US--still possible, but no longer useful or appropriate. At best,
breastfeeding was without value and at worst... We are still hearing it.

This book touched many women's hearts when it said that there is beauty in
the experience of one's feeding her baby at her breast. We had to, first,
point out that there was something missing from the bottle/formula feeding
experience.  We didn't know all of the reasons to breastfeed that we know
today. So why in the world would a woman want to do something so difficult
and time consuming and restrictive and unscientific and worthless?  The WAB
gave us a reason.

In the 50s and 60s it was the Blue WAB that assured women that they *could*
breastfeed their babies and that is was a desirable goal, and not to give
up because it was hard going at first. The WAB told them to feed their
babies when they were hungry instead of looking at the clock and that their
milk was sufficient food for their babies until the middle of the first
year of life and that mastitis wasn't the end of breastfeeding and how to
tell if you had enough milk and what to do if you didn't. That was enough
for many women, and, sadly, not enough for many others.  But it was a
beginning, and beginnings must be inspiring or no one wants to begin.

I don't relegate the WAB to historical value only.  The current one is
still most valuable to those women who like a book that teaches as it does,
especially if they complement their reading with real-life experiences at
La Leche League meetings.  We are lucky that there are many writing styles
to choose from today. Some of us want diagrams, lists, steps, photos,
concise vocabulary, short sentences, and references. Some of us want a
foundation, a call, a family-centered philosophy surrounding our facts and
techniques and guidelines. Some of us want someone to assure us that "You
too, can do it." And then nothing will stop us, even if we have to modify
our ideal dream a bit.

I am sorry that you had such a terrible experience with your first baby and
breastfeeding.  21 years ago many women did, just as today too many many
women still do. But I am most joyful that you didn't chuck the whole
breastfeeding movement, and that you are out there teaching in your own
style. Fewer women will have the devastating experience that you did
because you are sharing your knowledge, technique, and experience.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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