Jennifer:
I agree that the problem isn't having to rely on others present to help learn
about breastfeeding. I believe that the problem is that we now live in a
culture in which mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, the ones who used to
instruct new moms, are now living far away from the woman needing help. She
is left alone and on her own when she goes home from the hospital for the
most part. That is why postpartum doulas have work. I see a huge difference
in success when a mom has a neighbor or friend who has given birth at around
the same time who she can talk to about all the nuances of breastfeeding so
she knows she is not alone and can pick up tips. Of course now there is also
the problem of her mother probably fed her a bottle and isn't familiar with
breastfeeding either. I don't believe a new mother is meant to be alone and
independent during a time when she shouldn't have to be. Hence the book "The
Tender Gift: Breastfeeding" by Dana Raphael in 1973 in which she first
described mothering the mother. Thank heavens there are lactation clinics she
can now go to but it is not as good as having a woman in her home who has
been there, done that and is related and thereby trusted. Second best to that
is an educated and trained doula/LC. I would love to know more about how
other cultures handle this, if there are women in the family helping or if
they are also following the American way of birth, by being absent, living
elsewhere and unavailable. This is probably the first problem.
Vicky York, CPD, IBCLC

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