I guess I should have reintroduced myself before posting yesterday. I've
been off Lactnet for months. I just get too overloaded and have to go NOMAIL
for awhile. Now I seem to have a few more minutes I'll try to keep up with
the reading.

I'm an LC in private practice in a small town in northern Alberta, Canada. I
certified in 1987, so get to rewrite this summer. I'm actually enjoying the
studying, even though it's hard to fit it in. I'm also a La Leche League Leader.

Evonne wrote:
>Some may remember my last post delt with my sister who was struggling with
>her newborn.  Well as my title suggest, she quit.  I was (still am but cover
>it well)  very angry with her.  She not only had my help but 2 of my
>co-workers did consults with her as well.  To skip details her significant
>other was not supportive and so she GAVE UP!
>  My feelings are if I can not influence this person with my own 14 years of
>bf my children, and my 10yrs as a IBCLC, than what hope do I/we as
>professionals have of influencing strangers in the VERY short time we have
>contact with clients?

The last sentence is interesting. I feel we stand a lot more chance
influencing strangers than members of our family. Imagine the performance
anxiety with us as friends or family??

It makes me sad, though, to hear that you're ANGRY with your sister, Evonne.
Just remember that you did the best you could and offered as much support as
you could, but ultimately it is your sister's baby and your sister's
decision. That's why it is so much harder to work with family--we can get
tremendously wrapped up in the emotions of it all.

And I'm back to my Stages of Change again. I seems to me that some women
just aren't ready to breastfeed their first baby. They simply haven't gone
through the mental preparation required if they run into any kind of
difficulties. It's like quitting smoking before you're ready--almost
anything can make you head back to the habit. But when you're ready, even
very stressful situations don't get you started smoking again. For some
women, it takes a baby or two to be truly ready to breastfeed. Have
patience, support your sister, and love that nephew so that breastfeeding
(or the lack of) doesn't become a wedge between you. Next time may be very
different (and if there is no next time, you'll be glad you maintained your
relationship with your sister).
Leslie Ayre-Jaschke, BEd, IBCLC
Peace River, Alberta, Canada