I agree with Pam--whenever we make normal feeding more difficult than 
artificial feeding, we create barriers to normal feeding and imply that 
artificial feeding is the norm. We need to drive the discussion and 
make it clear that artificial feeding is the huge challenge with its 
many difficulties, compromises and risks. So long as our cultural 
paradigm expects artificial feeding, we cannot expect women to be able 
to breastfeed with a complete sense of security and confidence.

  So, in hospital, all mothers should be instructed in proper feeding of 
their babies and if the mother chooses not to breastfeed, then she 
should have a great deal of instruction on proper mixing and paced 
feeding and risks of obesity and warning signs for diabetes and lists 
of websites for recall information, etc. Then, those same moms should 
be given information about feeding in public so as not to alarm 
children and adults who are educated about the risks of AF and who will 
be distraught at seeing babies fed AIM or fed by bottle or having their 
mouths plugged with dummies.

  When my now-18yr old son was 4, I picked up a mom at her house to take 
her to the peer counselor training program I was conducting. She had 
her 2 week old bf baby with her, but he had a dummy in his mouth. My 
son blurted out--"Mommy, tell her to take that thing out of his 
mouth!!" The mom became a very dear friend and her little guy nursed 
for three years--her other children had only been nursed for months. 
But, while I was very embarrassed, I also got an education about 
paradigms. In my son's world, babies were only fed at breast--he hadn't 
even weaned yet and his baby sister was tendem-nursing.

  I am disturbed to think that we, as the self-appointed champions of 
breastfeeding can justify the actions of the RMH in expecting a mother 
to inform anyone that she is about to nurse her child before she does 
so. What is she to do if someone states she is uncomfortable? Not feed 
her child? Leave? Apologize? People make these kinds of comments when 
they are about to do something that may be rude or disturbing to 
others--like smoking or talking on a cell phone--not feeding a child! 
Why would we accept anything less than that which is both right and 
legal? This mother is under no legal obligation to inform anyone of 
anything and the RMH simply needs to comply with the law in Texas.

  I would like to raise this issue again--I'd like to see us stop using 
the phrase "nursing in public" as if it is an entity unto itself. 
Feeding a baby is feeding a baby. If we continue to differentiate 
feeding in public, then we are agreeing that there is indeed a debate 
to be had. When we enter into discussions like the one in Texas as if 
the debate is legitimate, we compromise the rights of mothers and 
babies. Our position needs to be clear and unified--feeding at the 
breast is normal--anything else is a compromise and should be treated 
as such.

 Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA
 Intuitive Parenting Network LLC

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