In a message dated 97-10-08 06:05:08 EDT, Laurie Wheeler wrote:

<< Someone else may teach this class and give the formula is just as good
talk. You would do a much better job. >>

The fact that you can't formula-bash doesn't mean that you can't be honest
about how much more beneficial breastmilk is! Better that someone who can
tell the truth about breastfeeding be the one to teach mothers how to
properly bottlefeed. You have a wonderful opportunity to educate mothers as
to how much healthier breastfed babies are.

If the glaring omission of the benefits of bottlefeeding sparks some
questions in your audience, so much the better. You may change the mind of
someone who was on the fence, or not really aware of the differences between
breast and bottle. A mother who is determined to bottlefeed probably won't be
swayed -- at least not at this time -- but you may plant a seed for the
future. Anyhow, if she's set on formula-feeding, she'll still need to know
how to do it safely.

We can't force a mom to choose breastmilk for her baby, but we *can* educate
them about the differences. You'll do a much better job of that than someone
who considers formula to be just as good. While acknowledging that formula
can be a (barely) adequate substitute, you can get a lot of breastfeeding
info across. So much has to do with how you present it!

In either case, you're helping to protect the health of babies. Even though
teaching proper formula-feeding may be distasteful to you, it's better than
kids becoming sick (or worse) from contaminated or improperly mixed formula
prepared by moms who wouldn't breastfeed under any circumstances anyhow.

The moms have to make their own decisions. We don't have to like them; we
just have to do our best to educate them into making better decisions.

Diane DiCarlo
LLLL
Brooklyn, NY