I read with interest the post re: the consideration of applying attorney focus on "physicians who resist " encouraging /supporting women to breastfeed.  Why do so many people think that law suits are the answer?  We are all passionate about our work, we study, write, lecture, teach and support. We want to teach consumers to be informed and assertive or find doulas for them if they cannot find the courage to assert.  We don't want them to continue to seek lawsuits as the answer. Must we buy into that? Are we missing the mark - if we begin to focus on liability ?
 We meet alot of resistance and heartache.  We are all wellness oriented(hopefully).  The answer to increasing breastfeeding rates is adopting a wellness model of care in maternity services.  We have medicallized the model of care so much that it affects women, babies, families.  We have a culture that co-exists with the medical model of care.  That needs to change.
Everything we do must we wellness oriented.  Wellness includes the medical model.  It accentuates consumer information and life long health care decision making.  
Lactation Consultants and Childbirth Educators might join together on this.  We segregate ourselves from one another - yet we have common goals and objectives. Lactation Consultants need to identify what we are doing that isn't working and come up with solutions.  I wonder if we could get more professionals, like ourselves to  jump on board to support the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative?  How many :LCs or CBEs know about it?  or have gotten a copy of the initiative but never pursued it?  Don't blame everything on the docs.  We must be well informed and proactive all the way around.  Breastfeeding problems don't just exist because a physician didn't give out the info or encourage a mom.  Breastfeeding issues also exist because of what affects a mom during her pregnancy, labor and birth, in her surrounding culture and it may or may not involve a non-informing, non- supporting physician at all. I encourage everyone on this list to learn about the mother friendly childbirth initiative. It is an expertly drafted blueprint for hospitals, birth centers, private practices to take on a wellness model that is researched based.  Those of us who have, are seeing change....It doesn't happen overnight.  Lawsuits are ugly costly and often times alienating. I  think we should explore other avenues.  If you would like information on the motherfriendly initiative e-mail me.  Get involved in change. Good leaders are hard to find. You have to hold up against the resistance and keep moving on.  Help create a wellness model of care. There is strength in numbers, we all know that. Be a part of national reform to a wellness model of care in maternity services.  The Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative includes the Baby Friendly USA initiative. If you really care - join hands and get "really involved"
Lots of snow in Indiana, PA.    Sue Majoris.

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