Nan's explanation is wonderful. And, it could carry on further. Imagine how
many (traditionally male) docs have had wives who have "been unsuccessful"
breastfeeding. Or, how many female docs who have "been unsuccessful"
breastfeeding. Given the lack of breastfeeding support in the US (and I'm
not sure of around the world), the likelihood of "successful breastfeeding"
in this (physician) population probably isn't any better than the general
public.

I also did a talk with a group of young residents. They were mostly polite
and interested, but there was one man who was obviously bored (doodling,
yawning) and even outright verbally hostile. He ended his speech by telling
me that since his wife "couldn't breastfeed" he didn't see any reason to
"force it on other mothers." Certainly gave a new avenue for the talk! I
encouraged them to seek an expert for anything that was out of their comfort
zone, and that included breastfeeding and childbirth. My doc is the head doc
of this teaching practice, and he's the one who contacts me when he has a
breastfeeding issue. He also contacts a pharmacist friend of mine for drug
information, if he's not sure of what to prescribe for a breastfeeding
mother. What he doesn't know is, my pharm friend frequently contacts *me*
after he calls her, if she is not sure that she's got the most current and
correct information.

I don't think everyone could, or should, know everything. The thought that a
doctor, even with all the years of training, should know everything about
all possible topics? Wow! My doc has a thriving practice of breastfeeding
mothers. What Joy! Beautiful, healthy babies. Thanks to a combination of a
wife who "successfully breastfed" their children, as well as the persistance
of a local "breastfeeding expert."

We can follow our burning desires, and become an expert on whatever fuels
our fire. And if something is not our burning desire? Talk to someone who
owns that particular fire!

And, I am anything but one of the "silent 3000," and I am horribly
discouraged, as well, at the current SoP. I cannot put it into words to send
them a letter, but have told very few people that I passed the exam. Perhaps
it is difficult to think that someone without a medical degree could be an
"expert"?

Best wishes,
Heather "Sam" Doak


<<I once gave a talk to a group of GPs and caught their attention by
explaining my feelings about breastfeeding - that it gave me confidence as a
mother, grew my self-esteem as a woman, made me feel normal.  That after
failing to nurse my first child, something inside me died, but I would never
have admitted that, if I hadn't succeeded with my second.  And that I had no
idea ahead of time that it would affect me that way; I planned to breastfeed
because I considered it normal, and of course for the health benefits.>>

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