Barb,

I am trying to write and re-write policies to support the Baby-Friendly 10
Steps.  I hear your frustration.  People "feel" guilty and others do not create
"feelings", we create or impart knowledge.  How a person reactes to that
knowledge is beyond our control.  If we think it is within our control then we
begin to talk about a different area of medicine altogether because then it
becomes co-dependence (when your reactions govern my decisions).  If a parent
chooses not to immunize their child because they are educated and make that decision
themselves without coersion, do they feel guilty?  If parents make that
decision because they are ignorant of the research or facts of each side and then
realize those facts later do they feel guilty?

I would ask the docs what their plan is for informed consent on the use of
formula.  We are required to use informed consent for every other procedure or
decision.  How else do we inform women of the risks of formula feeding?  This
is an ethical issue; not guilt, not feelings, not the doctors personal
reactions...ethics.  I think this is education of the docs.  Did the doctors complain
b/c of their patients reactions or because of their personal reactions?  Do a
survey of patients and ask if they would rather have the information or not?
Survey women who already delivered and ask if the handouts were helpful and/or
did they influence any decisions they made with their baby?  It should be
based on what is effective and useful for the parents (i.e. consumer) NOT what is
distasteful to the doctor or other HCW.

If I can find any research to support this specifically I will certainly pass
it on to you.

Best of luck,
Christie Pillado, CLC
Baby-Friendly Project Coordinator
El Paso, TX

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