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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
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Wed, 19 May 2004 15:30:38 +0100
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I think we should avoid any campaign, or any one-to-one encounter,
that increases or induces guilt.

Women need support, encouragement and good information to breastfeed
- and that is not the same as making them/allowing them to feel bad
if they decide/feel forced to decide not to do it.

I don't buy the idea that because guilt is used in anti-smoking,
anti-drugs, anti-obesity campaigns, we should use it to help women
choose to breastfeed.

It is, apart from anything else, an ineffective strategy.

People don't change culturally-induced behaviours because some health
professional, or some magazine article,  or some other mother, tells
them they are doing 'a bad thing' that has risks they should avoid.

If that was so, we would have conquered obesity, smoking and drug
use....not to mention the issue of teenage pregnancy. All we would
need to do would be to nag nag nag at fat people, at sexually active
teens, at drug takers and at smokers, and repeatedly tell them how
bad they are. Voila - a public health miracle.....NOT.

I might change my mind if I had any evidence *whatsoever* from health
promotion research that inducing or increasing guilt actually works
as a public health strategy.

This is not to say I think we should downplay the risks of formula -
not at all. I think mothers should have the facts in all their
glory.....put to them sensitively, and alongside robust support and
solutions to problems if they do decide to breastfeed.

I certainly don't think we should hold back on the facts 'in case'
someone feels guilty.

But we need to be aware that for some people, it is hurtful to know
breastfeeding is something they could have done....if only.  This is
perfectly compatible with sharing good, truthful information.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, Newcastle upon Tyne

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