Magda asks

>Am I the only one to see this:  "I want everyone to know about the wonderful
>breastfeeding support center at
>Mega Pick n' Save in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It is an individual display
>called the nursing center with a picture of mom and baby. It has a whole
>bunch of Medela products, from pumps to pads to a breastfeeding pillow. "
>with
>ueasy, doubting eyes.

No, you're not the only one, Magda!

Apart from the justifiable feelings of discomfort at seeing breastfeeding
being *dragged* into the profit motive in this way, it is *misleading* to
imply anyone *needs* all this stuff to breastfeed. Some mothers may feel
that bf is yet another complicated multi-layered consumer choice - some
will take one look at that display and decide bottle feeding looks a whole
lot simpler!

I always prefer getting back to basics, anyway. Mothers locally are taught
to use a pillow when breastfeeding  - not a 'breastfeeding pillow',
whatever that is....: )  - but I don't care for that either. Not because I
think it's a consumer item she doesn't need, but because it's more messing
about and palaver - yes,  a pillow is a tool used appropriately in
circumstances that demand it, but most mothers don't actually need it!  It
makes bf less portable - are you going to catch a bus with a baby *and*
your pillow, or go shopping or visiting?  (Remember, in the UK, half of all
women do not have access to a car).

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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