In a message dated 10.31.02 8:56:56 PM,Jennifer   writes:


> >>She said that the
> nurses encouraging her to breastfeed ruined her hospital stay and made her
> miserable.  She said "And I DON'T want that to happen again."  Meaning that
> I should never bring up breastfeeding again.
> Any ideas on what leads to such an aversion?  Any ideas on any encouraging
> these ladies without driving them crazy?<<
> 
Woman who react with such powerfully negative statements such as; "that's 
gross" etc. need to have limits set quickly. Just as you wouldn't respond to 
their decision to formula fd. with likeminded statements to them, they should 
  be reminded of such by you. I would start by simply stating the fact that 
it is NOT gross and that many people, including yourself who has experience 
with breastfeeding, might be offended by the suggestion.
In terms of possibly opening their closed minds just a little, especially 
with women who don't seem as adamant, I might begin by saying that many women 
can't see themselves as "breastfeeders" simply because they haven't been 
exposed to it. However, once they hear of the benefits for themselves and 
their babies AND once they see their baby and experience the bond,   they 
often decide to give it a try.  This tact "accepts" their reluctance and 
allows them to see it as a normal step in the progression towards 
breastfeeding. I would also remind them of the fact that it is your JOB to 
educate them and that it is their responsibility as parents to take their 
baby into account when making such important decisions. 
Through my job as an LC and VNA nurse, I see many freshly dc'd postpartum 
Moms who come home bottle fdng. Some of them end up breastfdng by the end of 
the visit because I assume that they are all potential breastfeeders and I 
focus in on ANY weaknesses in their armor. If they are uncomfortably 
engorged, I suggest breastfdng "just enough" to relieve some of the 
engorgement or if the baby is gassy, I suggest that the formula may be the 
cause and any amount of breastmilk given by Mom will help with digestion,   
etc,etc. The majority of Moms are not upset by this approach as they are 
accustomed to it after their many exposures to the "pushing of breastfeeding 
:)" throughout their pregnancy and hospitalization   and so it may also be 
helpful to remind them prenatally that your discussion wih them will be the 
first of MANY times that they wil be given the pro breast pep talk!

Lynn Shea Rn,Bsn,Ibclc
Franklin,Massachusetts

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