I really think about this issue of what language to use quite a bit. Risks vs. benefits, norm vs best. I can't say that I've come up yet with language that works in all situations. Perhaps the woman that shows up to a private practice IBCLC for breastfeeding help responds differently to certain language than the patient who shows up to a family doctor for prenatal care. Also, for some women, cultural influences are so much more important than anything a health care provider can say. So I go back and forth talking about benefits with one mom, and risks with another, and often benefits and risks both at different times with the same mom. Sometimes I feel I'm making a difference in someone's choice, often I really don't. Sometimes I feel that it doesn't matter what I say, even though I have that MD/authority figure thing going for me, as certain women just seem to refuse to believe that breastfeeding can make any difference. I sleep better knowing that I try to portray breastfeeding always as the biological norm, and think that perhaps even if this particular mom in front of me isn't hearing me, perhaps it will make a difference with her next baby, or when her own daughter wants to breastfeed. If you all ever come up with some language that seems to be earth shattering and influences every one you talk to, please let me know. I certainly think participating in a forum like this gives me great turns of phrase to use, and gives me more language to choose from in counseling and helping moms to make good decisions for their babies. Jennifer Tieman Family Physician Mom to 4, including nursling Caroline Rose born 5/31/03 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html