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Subject:
From:
Melissa Vickers <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 16 Oct 1995 21:24:06 EDT
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Pam W.  (First of all, HI! Nice to see you online!!)

I used to agree with you about moms being selfish who would choose not to bf,
and there are probably some who would fall in that category. IMHO, however, I
think the predominant info that is available to many (most??) moms from
healthcare sources, media, friends, etc. is that yes, bf is better, but not
enough to really matter. Add to that the sore nipple horror stories that are as
prevalent when someone mentions bf as birth horror stories are when someone
mentions pregnancy!! Add to that the readily available encouragement for making
babies as independent as possible, and the encouragement to new moms to rest and
take it easy and let someone else deal with the baby.

When faced with this kind of info, then I am not so sure it is fair to label the
mom who opts to bottle-feed as "selfish."

Granted, it is our "job" to inform, but it is not our sole responsibility to see
that every mom understands why bf is important. When moms get such conflicting
information--especially if she has a doctor or nurse giving less than accurate
information--why is this selfish behavior if she opts for the most comfortable
(to her) option?

And if it is our job to inform, then perhaps WE should feel guilty everytime a
mom opts to bottle-feed? I would hope instead it would just be more
encouragement for us to educate as much of the population as possible.

Perhaps the medical schools should require all new doctors to spend a few weeks
on Lactnet and do some major learning by email from some of the wonderful MDs we
have here online. And perhaps a crash course could be required for all of the
existing MDs too!!

THAT just leaves the media and the general public.........

Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
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