Hi all
Betsy said, 'Social workers are not brought in for absolutely no reason at
all'
My understanding of US attitudes and culture around infant feeding suggests
that the fact that this woman is breasfeeding a nine-month old child would
be enough grounds to get a social worker involved. I don't think it is fair
to assume that the involvement of a social worker necessarily means that the
child is 'at risk' of harm.  What it most likely means is that some very
powerful people think the baby is 'at risk'.  My question is at risk of
what?  At risk of not doing what she is told?  At risk of exposing gaps in
the knowledge of the doctors involved?  
People's prejudices are very often invisible to them. In a society where
medical professionals very often think that infant formula is so nearly
identical to breastmilk as not to matter (a prejudice), any mother who
prioritises breastfeeding over invasive treatments is demonised - especially
as there is such a perverse obsession with breasts as sex toys.  Any person
who dares to disagree with accepted medical wisdom (and we know that is not
often evidence-based) is judged, demonised and generally categorized as
irrational.
I note that mention has been made of this mother's marital status as being a
'red flag'.  A person's marital status is absolutely not an indicator of her
capacity to care for her child.  It is no more relevent to the story than
the colour of her skin.  What that comment does reflect is a medical culture
that judges the people it purports to serve. This poor woman was undoubtedly
subjected to this sort of judgement from the moment she dared to display
disagreement with the medical establishment.  I can just hear the
conversations in the staff room and at handover, can't you ... This woman
was labelled a 'nutcase' early on and nothing she said or did after that
could be interpreted on its merits and no-one would have afforded her or her
positon any respect.
I just hope that if I find myself in a situation where I disagree with a
doctor, there will be someone who is willing to advocate for me with those
whose minds are closed and who feel so threatened by a knowledgeable
dissenting, woman.  I wonder if there is anyone in this woman's home-town
who might translate her views into a language that a mere medical
professional can comprehend.
Nina Berry BA/Bed(Hons) Dip Arts(Phil)
Breastfeeding Counsellor
PhD Candidate - "Ethical Issues in the marketing of 'Toddler Milks'"

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