Absolutely doctors know more than I do about most things baby health
related. Since I know the amount of education and training that goes into being a
doctor, I know that these are extremely intelligent and dedicated
professionals. I do assume they want the best for the patients they serve...I just do not
always agree that formula is the solution. I do not think they necessarily
know more than I do about breastfeeding or mothering. Of course, I also
cannot diagnose a cough just by the sound (okay, so I can with my own children
because a doctor taught me how) or set a broken bone or stitch a gash in a
child's leg. I have a lot of respect for doctors and what they do know and
know well. If breastfeeding was part of their education, I am sure they would
know that well also. I know it seems like we are always questioning the
doctors' decisions when it comes to breastfeeding, but it is only because so often
those decisions sacrifice breastfeeding unnecessarily. Until breastfeeding
is seen as truly normal for the child and something that is indeed a health
choice, doctors will continue to be lacking in that part of their education.
It is a hard thing really. Breastfeeding is not a medical event. It really
should not be treated as a medical care issue to be managed. But, on the
other hand, medical care issue can impact lactation and the baby's ability to
breastfeed and those things a doctor caring for women and children should know
about.
No flames from me. I imagine doctors on this list feel attacked sometimes
because they are doctors too..It is the doctors here that prove to me that
there are wonderful doctors and nurses everywhere. Every time a mom says "my
doctor said" and it is 100% on the right track I get so excited because it
means breastfeeding is gaining strength in the community. I do recognize names
of doctors who repeatedly give inaccurate information, and yes, correct
information has been provided, but I am not able to fight that battle. I can only
serve the mothers and babies one dyad at a time. Like another poster said,
the mothers will need to demand the doctors provide the accurate information.
Today, we have the information highway and no doctor can provide inaccurate
information and be blindly followed. A simple search will provide the
information a mom needs.. Information is power. A well informed patient however
is not appreciated in maternal or child health. That is not an attack, that
is just a generalization based on years of listening to mom's stories. Even
if all the mothers are wrong and they just misunderstood, perception is their
reality.
Take care,
Pam MazzellaDiBosco, IBCLC, RLC
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