Pamela, Your post rings so true. You wrote "It's almost as if everything is
conspiring to
suggest that babies should not be given first priority, that almost
any other commitment or task should be put ahead of the baby's needs,
as if society in general tries to drive a wedge between the mother
and her young child at every possible opportunity."

I see it every day at work. Once, immediately after a birth, baby was being
dried and swaddled on a warmer next to mom (I acknowledge it's far from
ideal post birth care), and dad was looking on and taking photos. I said
something to the effect to get baby into mother's arms (this was not
necessarily a bf mom), but dad said "No, we don't want to spoil the baby by
picking her up." I was absolutely floored and I know I didn't hide my
feelings but tried to bust that myth asap. I also discuss with parents, who
usually come to appointments with baby in car seat carrier, how it would be
easier on their backs and actually good for the baby to be carried. I also
hate the swaddled hands and try to get those mittens off too.

And Ingrid mentioned about LLL and I wonder if we need a *mothering* support
group, for breast or bottle fed babies, on just how to mother a baby.

Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC
Mississippi USA

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