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From:
Eric/Leslie <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 11 Nov 1995 11:59:43 -0700
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Jennifer--
I have worked with quite a number of women who experienced PPD and I have
come to a similar conclusion (that it's a western world phenom). It seems to
me that much of this comes from completely unrealistic expectations of just
what the impact of a baby on one's life is going to be--the mother's
expectations, those of her partner, friends, family, employers, etc.

Here is who I consider high-risk for PPD: high-achieving, older first-time
mothers (if you've run your life by Day-Timer for 10-20 years, the
unremitting, unscheduable(?) requirements of an infant can be totally
overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating; this lack of control over one's
time is a HUGE factor, I think, and lack of community support just makes it
all the worse); mothers who spend a great deal of time on clothes and
make-up; and mothers who need to have an absolutely immaculate house to feel
"right." This isn't terribly scientific, although my hunch about older,
well-educated women turns out to be on the mark, according to some recent
info I've read on PPD.

There was a session at a La Leche League conference somewhere, sometime,
that was called something like "Mothering a stone age baby in a  high tech
world." I think that's a brilliant title and says in one phrase why
immersion mothering makes so much sense. It's a tough sell for new mothers
(and fathers), however, who give birth thinking their lives are going to
remain pretty much unchanged.

 I frequently talk to new mothers about their "new-normal" when they ask
about "when are things going to settle down and get back to normal?" It
helps them focus on the fact that life has changed irrevocably, that they
need to grieve the old life and then start getting used to the "new normal."

Such a fascinating topic. As I immersed myself in mothering I was so
grateful to having a relaxed, laid-back mother who made me realize there
wasn't much worth getting really upset over, and for the wisdom of LLL I was
introduced to early on. Our LLL Group provided me with books I would never
have found on my own in the late 70s--The Family Bed, The Continuum Concept,
MotherLove, Without Spanking or Spoiling, etc., etc. It's encouraging to me
to see so many "mainstream" books promoting what used to be thought of as an
"LLL lifestyle or philosophy." And then I see the books on programming your
babies to sleep through the night...(sigh!).
Leslie Ayre-Jaschke, BEd, IBCLC
Peace River Breastfeeding Clinic
Peace River Alberta, Canada

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