Dear Kathy, of course no one was implying that you were unethical. I
believe that not all MDs or RNS or IBCLCs are as ethical as you are, and
that is something we all need to ponder. As I said this morning,
globalization or slamming of entire professions is not warranted or
helpful. And, I believe that when health care professionals of any type
ignore the evidence on breastfeeding and present it as a lukewarm
alternative, without any support, they as well as damn it for many
mothers who are unsupported and struggling.
If we can all see beyond our own personal practices and look a bit
farther, perhaps we can see and examine what is really happening in our
culture.
Kind regards, Kathleen
OK--
I know I am not supposed to take things personally, but I have to
respond to the accusation that doctors are out to make money at the cost
of babies' health.
I suppose there are a few doctors out there for which this sad statement
is true, (as there are some lawyers, and plumbers, and used car
salesmen) but I have to submit that I think it is much more complicated
than that. As frustrated as I am with my Pediatric/FP/OB colleagues
whose patients I see on a regular basis, I do NOT for one second believe
that any of them knowingly encourage formula or sabotage breastfeeding
to pad their pockets. Have they been influenced by formula reps?
Certainly. Do they know all they should about bf? No. But as a former
primary care Pediatrician I think they are mostly victims of the medical
education system and our culture, and probably their opinions are also
clouded by the fact that many of their own children did not receive
breastmilk. My ex-partners are neither terribly knowledgeable about nor
supportive of breastfeeding, but they both work extremely hard for not
much money to help kids. I cannot understand why they don't value
breastfeeding more, but I can guess it has something to do with the fact
that neither one breastfed exclusively for any length of time, coupled
with the fact that they have been immersed in formula-feeding babies for
so long they truly think that is "normal", and they are just "fine".
And as for me, personally, I am certain there are teenagers at McDonalds
who made more money last year than I did.
Kathy Leeper, MD, IBCLC
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