FROM: Sturgess, Frances Coulter TO:[log in to unmask] SUBJECT: "selling" brfdg DATE: 01-21-97 20:52 EST PRIORITY: "that breastfeeding comes naturally is a myth" "it wasn't easy, like they say it is. It was hard, but I stuck with it" "breastfeeding , though a natural process, doesn't come naturally. It has to be learned"(LLLI) "the first three weeks are the hardest. Many women stop then" (referring to sore breasts etc) THese are things I am seeing and hearing pretty frequently in articles in the papers, in promotional literature for breastfeeding. We do need to give women an *informed* choice, but these statements make it seem difficultand discouraging, unless you are already *dedicated*. Any ideas on ways to make it friendlier but not mislead women? It does seem that we can't say "it doesn't hurt" (at all...that is) and a discussion of health benefits etc is always nice, but when measured against comfort/discomfort/sacrifice (!) it doesn't always stack up. Maybe Im feeling less than mature today...nobody says parenting is easy, why should feeding be easy? (Such a nice attitude.) Dealing with the reluctant andunconvinced is energy consuming, especially when compared withthose who want to do it and cant. But we still need to include the unconvinced...