Kerry, I am a journalist too, and I endorse everything you say.  In 
particular, I would echo you in saying


>
>
>3.  Repeat again and again that women deserve to be fully informed 
>about breastfeeding.  Rather
>than going on and on about the guilt issue, simply note that it is 
>rather patronizing to withhold
>health information from women in an effort to protect their delicate 
>sensibilities.  In other words,
>emphasize that women are smart, women are strong, and women deserve 
>to be treated like
>adults.
>
>4.  Acknowledge that women experience many barriers to breastfeeding. 
>
>5.  Never blame women for not breastfeeding.  Rather, call for 
>societal reforms that will make it
>easier for women to breastfeed.


Take the emphasis away from the individual woman. Breastfeeding is a 
social choice, and it needs social support....the way I put it when 
asked is to say that breastfeeding guidelines (in the UK, to feed 
exclusively for six months) are not so much a  recommendation for 
mothers and babies, as a call to their healthcare providers, 
employers and others to make it possible for women to do this.

>
>In hindsight, I think it may have been a mistake for breastfeeding 
>supporters to respond en masse
>to Tish Durkin.


Agreed.  I sometimes cringe when I see responses about bf.....they 
play into journalists' hands.


Careful, sensitive, cool, calm and *brief* responses are always better.

Heather Welford Neil

NCT bfc, tutor, UK

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