Re Debbie`s dilemma: when we have an opportunity to meet pregnant women some
time before the birth as do those of us who are also prenatal teachers, we
have a wonderful window of opportunity, but even when the first meeting is
at that critical time after the birth we can influence reluctant
breastfeeders just by being there. Tread gently down that path!
About 18 months ago, an expectant dad called me to enrol in my prenatal
course. He said his wife was adamant about not breastfeeding and he was
anxious that I would "persuade her". I told him that I could not do that,
but hopefully when she has the information and preparation and knows I am
there to support her, she will at least give it a try. She called
separately to tell me not to do any "brainwashing" about breastfeeding and
that she might miss the bf class. I told her what I had told him and said
that apart from the bf class, the issue of bf comes up in most of the
sessions. I added our usual spiel about it being her body and her baby and
it was not my job to make decisions for her or her husband but that a
prenatal course was not complete without discussing bf and postnatal issues
and my job was not complete without offering her support after the birth.
This woman had a wonderful birth and breastfed for more than a year!
Sometimes women do breastfeed easier when they have fewer expectations. But
she said that what influenced her to at least start bf was my attitude that
a week is better than nothing, a month better than a week and so on.
Eventually for her, a year was better than six months!
When I have met reluctant breastfeeders only after the birth it is much more
difficult. However if we take it day by day, talk about the value of
colostrum, preventing engorgement and then go on providing support if the
few days turn into a week/month/3 months/6 months/year and so on...
I think that most modern parents understand the advantages of bf and adding
guilt to their ambivalence is counter-productive. If we pressure too hard,
we lose them.
But it is a dilemma we all face.
Wendy Blumfield
NCT BFC/Prenatal Tutor Teacher
Israel Childbirth Education Centre
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 3:21 AM
Subject: Breastfeeding influences
>
> In a message dated 10/2/2006 5:51:02 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> My question being, how do you begin to influence a mother that does not
> plan
> on breastfeeding, given the multiple advantages that have been proven
> for not only the infant but the mother as well?>>>>>>>.
>
>
>
> Beth,
>
> You have a great start with the information and documentation that you
> already have to impart to expectant mothers. Give them the research based
> facts,
> including the hazards and risks of artificial baby milk feeding, and
> encourage
> attendance at local LLL meetings to gain knowledge of the, umm, ..lets
> call
> it "mother-based" facts.
>
>
> Debbie Tobin
> RN BSN IBCLC LCCE
>
> Fairfax County, Virginia suburbs outside the Washington DC beltway
>
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