Melissa mentioned the concept that "life must be easy." This same mindset 
holds true with birthing choices as well. The fact that this falls right over into 
breastfeeding (and babycare in general) is not surprpising. An unhappy mom is 
going to make for an unhappy child.

We all made choices for our kids all along and that will never change. Take 
people who choose to home school. The parent makes the choice to teach at 
home and keep the child our of the "mainstream" (for what that's worth). 
Maybe ultimately, the child (as an adult) decides that was not a good choice 
in the long run. There is no changing what the parent chose. There is no 
changing what anyone chooses to do. The issue of babies' rights vs. Mom's is 
the same. We all make choices for our children.

There is a big difference between protecting people and protecting a process 
(like breastfeeding). I think that concept is what is at the bottom of this 
Mom's rights vs. the baby's right discussion.

If some of you who do not work with large groups of the general public could 
see the calibre (or lack thereof) of some of our parents of this generation 
coming up, you'd realize that it is probably good that there is an alternative to 
breastfeeding. That is not to say that there aren't individuals from all walks of 
life who wish to breastfeed and are successful, but there are those for whom 
this would not (and should not) ever be the choice.

We all make choices for ourselves as well in where we eat, how we raise our 
children,etc. I think that if we take a step back and examine our motives (on 
this or any subject) we will see that sometimes, it is not the people for whom 
we really advocate, but it if for the process.

I feel fortunate to have the ability and the training to work with new parents 
as I do and I am going to aim my efforts at those who are interested in 
learning and make the effort. I refuse to continue to bang my head against a 
wall, whether it be with a parent or a resistant doctor. You can't reach 
everyone. We have to go one mother/baby at a time.

Betsy Riedel RNC, IBCLC
Connecticut

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