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Subject:
From:
"Margaret G. Bickmore" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 24 Nov 2003 17:30:06 -0700
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I cringe at the idea that "bf takes more effort for the first 5
weeks."  I think having a new baby, especially a first baby, makes
parents feel inadequate no matter the feeding method.  It simply
hasn't been my experience (working with many mothers) that
breastfeeding is difficult.  Preparing formula and washing a bunch of
bottles and stuff, now *that* seems like a lot of work to me.  Then
there are the babies who don't tolerate formula A and the parents
start trying formulas B, C, D . . . not to mention dealing with more
colic, illnesses, foul diapers, and so on.  That's fairly common, and
more work.  Yes, there are certainly mothers I've worked with who
have faced great challenges in the first weeks of breastfeeding, but
they are not the norm.

Perhaps this difference in perceptions is due to the fact that I
mainly meet moms who are motivated and informed, whereas doctors,
hospital-based LCs, and other HCPs probably meet many more moms who
are already having trouble, or who are not all that committed to bf.

Even though I don't think bf takes more effort, I often suggest that
moms give themselves 6 weeks to really feel as if they've got the
hang of nursing, and to wait until then to make any decisions about
discontinuing bf (if that is something they are considering).  I bet
lots of formula-feeding parents don't really feel confident until
around that time either . . .

Margaret
Longmont, CO

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