I have new medical student working with me this month. She is a young woman
with 3 children (all breastfed). She was from Bangladesh, but had moved to
the US as a school-aged child. We were discussing breastfeeding (of course),
particularly why so many women don't breastfeed their babies. And she said:

"Women in this country see breastfeeding as an 'option'."

It took me a moment for that to sink in.

It's like saying "Being pregnant for 9 months is an 'option' for having a
baby" - (and it soon may be if inductions for convenience become popular).
True, some people deliver their babies at 6 months and the baby "turns out
just fine", but people don't "choose" that because it's more convenient for
them, or because they have to get back to work, or because they want others
to take care of the baby as well. I suppose that you might not be able to
tell the difference "out on the street" but there are differences, some just
temporary, others longer lasting.

We have a lot of work to do....

Breastfeeding: The beginning of a lifetime.

Gail S. Hertz, MD, IBCLC
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