I think this is a great opportunity to bridge the gap between the BFing moms
and the FF moms.  This is obviously a point of great contention and any
olive branch goes a long way.

A formula fed baby is already not getting the benefits of breastmilk.  If we
have the knowledge to share with a mom on how to let the baby regulate the
feed, how to properly prepare the formula, and the ability to share that; we
should.  If we can inform them of the facts on formula - in a nonjudgmental,
helpful way - we need to.

It's in the baby's best interests for us to educate those parents,
regardless of their feeding choices.  My personal opinion is that
withholding that info based on some kind of principle, is passing judgment
on the passively.

I would love to see IBCLCs visiting all the new moms, not just the BFing
ones.  I think there's a lot of good to be done by that, both in improving
the culture around BFing advocates and the health of the FF babies that may
otherwise be fed improperly.

Amy West, CLC




On Fri, Jul 23, 2010 at 3:45 PM, Jennifer South <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> I got into a discussion on a parenting board and mentioned that I was a
> hospital based  IBCLC and that I was thinking of starting to see the moms
> who say they are going to formula feed -- just to introduce myself and ask
> if they had any questions about breastfeeding. Nothing lacto-nazi-ish --
> just a friendly welcome and I'm here if you need me type thing. So I get
> this reply --and after picking up my jaw off the ground and being really
> hypertensive -- I wanted to know what y'all think:
>
> "So as an LC you don't currently routinely go into formula feeding mother's
> rooms? Here they do. They go over how to bottle feed, burping, what is
> normal what isn't, what to expect when their milk comes in, how to bind the
> breasts etc. I would not go in there at all simply to put in a plug for
> bfing. The LC I knew in clinicals said when she enters rooms she's often
> told "oh we don't need you.. we are formula feeding." But then they
> understand she's there to help them too."
>
> Warmly,
> Jennifer, who has never, nor ever intends to bind a woman's breasts and
> show them how to use artificial milk.
>
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