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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 5 Sep 1998 20:38:08 -0400
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Hi Dr. Newman (and all) please pardon the delay in responding - I just came
off 36 hours of NICU call.

I'm glad you responded, because it has helped me understand why we have
such different views.
You state that the analogy is not valid because: "We (breastfeeding
advocates) are in the weaker position (the position of the child)."

I don't agree. I feel that we as breastfeeding advocates are in the
stronger position.  Its time for us to realize this and to discuss
breastfeeding issues from the standpoint of the more powerful position.
All too often we allow ourselves to be only "defenders" of breastfeeding
instead of "promoters".

The right attitude goes a long way.  Name calling,  "doctor bashing" and
other methods of "attacking the man instead of the argument" serve to
weaken our stance and alienate the very people that need current, correct
breastfeeding education the most.

You also said:   By "bashing" one doctor (or other health professional) I,
or  someone else, am not bashing *all* doctors.  In response, although you
may not be directing the "bash" at all physicians, it does serve to promote
the "doctor as enemy of breastfeeding" line of thinking. That is
counterproductive to the "working together to promote breastfeeding"
concept that is the key to achieving the changes in policies and
professional education.  "Us and them" thinking is a set up for focusing on
the conflicts in stead of the solutions. I'm not claiming that docs or
other HCPs should be exempt from criticism - just that there is a
difference between constructive criticism and bashing.

I do agree with you that there are getting to be more physicians that are
well informed about breastfeeding practices.  I hope that we are able to
encourage even more physicians to become involved in breastfeeding
education and in professional resources like Lactnet.

Thank you for the exchange of thoughts.
Doctor Gail
Gail Hertz, MD
Pediatric Resident
author of the little green breastfeeding book - disclaimer: owner of Pocket
Publications

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