< However... what about the statement
regarding "most women experience pain in the first few weeks"? Even this
simple blanket statement is a potential for undermining bf and supports
the
myth.>
Susan, I beg to differ.
At the risk of once again playing the role of the naive child in the
fable of the Emperor's New Clothes, I see his statement as the TRUTH! In
fact, it is supposed to be the second most common reason for
discontinuing breastfeeding.
Whitewashing the truth and keeping women "ignorant" in fear of
discouraging them from trying is - to say the least - dishonest IMO.
(Kinda like the "olden days" when no one gave any foresight to little
girls about menstruation, or young women about what to expect on "the
wedding night"!)
And I don't think <it prevents mothers from seeking expert advice when
having problems those first few weeks (oh, but I was told it's supposed
to hurt)>
There are different degrees of expertise available to new mothers in
various places in North America (and around the globe, if Nader is read
that widely.) Some simply do have to tough it out with the support of
family and friends, or with book in hand.
I think much more needs to be done with anticipatory guidance, despite
the head-in-the-sand attitude fostered by the study in the
BMJ about shells and the Hoffman technique that concluded that it's best
not to assess (or OFFER to assess) prenatally at all, for fear of
discouraging women from attempting to breastfeed, "since it's NEVER BEEN
PROVEN that we can prevent nipple soreness (whatever jillion things that
might mean!).
That attitude just burns at my innards. And in the meantime, we are
filling international journals with WOUND HEALING ADVICE AND RAYNAUD'S
stuff! I still believe that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure.
Offering the mother the choice and choosing one's words wisely during an
assessment just needs to be done with a little finesse in order not to
discourage her from trying.
In the meantime, re: Nader's advice. If the shoe fits, let us wear it. I
think this is a challenge that needs to be met with more study and more
knowledgeable and sensitive PRENATAL guidance, as well as postnatal
"mop-up" operations when necessary, no matter how heroic it makes LC's
feel to successfully "mop-up"! At least, offer the moms a choice for more
empowerment prenatally!
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, Ohio USA
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