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Subject:
From:
Norma Ritter <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 5 Jan 2010 20:11:08 -0500
Content-Type:
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Virginia, I know that you are only quoting the report (below) so please
don't take this personally :)

My mother was one of the poor, uneducated (school till age 12) British women
who received National Dried Milk to feed me and my younger sister when we
were babies. She had intended to breastfeed both of us, but was prevented
from doing so by well-meaning but ignorant medical personnel. She was kept
in the Maternity Home for 10 days (standard at that time) during which her
baby was brought to her every four hours during the day, never at night.
When she attempted to unwrap her baby to count fingers and toes, she was
sharply reprimanded by the ward sister. She was allowed to breastfeed for a
maximum of 10 mins, after which the baby was removed and given a bottle by
the nurses. When she finally went home the Health Visitor told her that she
did not have enough milk and explained how to get cartons of National Dried
Milk and make it up into bottles. I am quite sure that my mother was not the
only one who experienced this kind of care.

I was 3 yrs old when my sister was born and I clearly remember the tears on
my mother's face when she had been told to discontinue breastfeeding. I also
remember the many nights I was awakened by my baby sister's screaming as my
mother attempted to comfort her. Both of us had multiple ear infections
throughout childhood, my sister eventually losing part of her hearing. I
ascribe this at least in part to a reaction to cow's milk proteins.

I cannot tell you how deeply it hurt to read that according to this report,
my mother was one of those considered to be out for what she could get for
free, and was one of "those kind of people who value or will benefit by the
educational work of the Centre" (breastfeeding education.) The sad thing is
that I hear this same kind of comment today, that *these people* are just
not interested in breastfeeding. While it is true that SOME people - from
ALL walks of life! - do not want to breastfeed, generalisations are both
incorrect and abhorrent.

norma

Norma Ritter, IBCLC, RLC
Breastfeeding Matters in the Capital Region
www.NormaRitter.com
http://normaritter.blogspot.com/
http://www.communitycradle.org/resourcesandpublications.html



Virginia wrote:
>Further to the earlier discussion, I have been unable thus far to find my
reference by another historian that free distribution of  affected
breastfeeding, but I have come across an earlier reference on the effects of
the giving out of free breastmilk substitutes.  This one is from a British
report published in the BMJ in 1921.

"We have had a considerable amount of evidence to the effect that the
gratuitous supply of artificial food and dried milk has proved detrimental
to the best interests and influence of the Centres. The people who go to
them mainly for what they can get very cheaply or for nothing Further to the
earlier discussion, I have been unable thus far to find my reference by
another historian that free distribution of National Dried Milk affected
breastfeeding, but I have come across an earlier reference on the effects of
the giving out of free breastmilk substitutes.  This one is from a British
report published in the BMJ in 1921.

"We have had a considerable amount of evidence to the effect that the
gratuitous supply of artificial food and dried milk has proved detrimental
to the best interests and influence of the Centres. The people who go to
them mainly for what they can get very cheaply or for nothing are not as a
rule the kind of people who value or will benefit by the educational work of
the Centre."  [This "educational work" encouraged breastfeeding.]

Source:  BMJ 1921 (July 2); 2(3157):S6-S10. Appendix C, 'The Value of
Maternity and Child Welfare Work in Relation to the Reduction of Infant
Mortality. Report by the Medico-Sociological Committee of The B.M.A.'
"  [This "educational work" encouraged breastfeeding.]"

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