I asked the mothers last night to think about what a
breastfeeding-friendly community would look like. I emphasized that this
is what "normal" is, but that one of the obstacles we have to overcome
is things that aren't normal, right, good, accurate, etc. I was really
fascinated by the answers the mothers came up with.
Breastfeeding-friendly does, indeed, mean different things to different
mothers, even mothers who share many common values in their parenting.
For some, it meant being able to bring their babies to work or to plays
(that was me, who still has issues with an official policy at our local
theatre). For others, it meant an employer providing a clean and
comfortable place to pump and flexible hours. For many, it meant being
able to breastfeed a toddler in public without getting nasty looks. The
one thing that was unanimous was getting good, accurate information and
fair treatment from all people who work with breastfeeding families,
from the pharmacist to the receptionist to the school principal. I think
that would include day care administrators. (Day care was mentioned
specifically by one mother who had talked to a  family day care provider
would not "handle" human milk and by another who wished on-site care was
more readily available.)
I think what continues to amaze me is how much I learn when I ask
questions.
Jo-Anne Elder-Gomes, PhD, IBCLC
Atlantic Canada

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