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Subject:
From:
Cathy Bargar <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 7 Sep 1999 12:21:32 -0400
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Carol, you said:
<i have a problem with the idea that presenting breastfeeding for a year is
a
"personal value" to be "imposed" on a client...i find this remark gives me
the impression
that the speaker is apologizing for something, or disassociating herself
from
something.

Well, I have to differ a bit here from my friend with my same initials. I
don't think it's wimping out to say that we are here to support women meet
their personal goals for self & baby re: BFing. I think it's acknowledging a
reality that exists, for better or for worse.

I totally understand your premise that BFing is NOT a "lifestyle choice" but
a health & wellness issue. But ask any hcp about how many of their clients
stop smoking during pregnancy, for example, or modify their diets
significantly when the doc recommends it, or similar issues. We can tell
them unequivocally that BF is important, and why, and about the risks
associated w/not BFing, but we can't *make them* do it for the rec. minimum
of 12 months.

<or do we get to pick and choose which concepts we support and which ones we
do not, based on personal feelings?>

Yeah, actually I think we do. At least when "we" is referring to
clients/patients/consumers/whatever. When I go to my doctor, he recommends
yearly mammograms, every-other-year pap smears, and such & such medications;
I decide, based on my reading, experience, inclination, risk:benefit, and
cost factors, which of these recs I will follow & which I won't. So I get a
mammogram every few years (low risk factors), I don't get routine gyn exams
anymore because I had a total hysterectomy 10 yrs. ago (low risk/no proven
screening benefit), and I take most of the meds IF I've found them to be of
benefit but refuse others. My doc is obligated to make his recs, as we LCs
are obligated to inform clients about BFing; my obligation as the pt. is to
decide based on those recs + current research whether or not to follow them,
as our clients must decide what they're going to do based on info we've
given.

And I don't see myself as being here to support "concepts", but to educate
and inform people - I *know* they won't always follow my recommendations,
but I know I've done my job. The rest is up to them.

Cathy Bargar, RN, IBCLC Ithaca NY

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