>>The problem with the above is that it is true - whether we like it
>or not, this is the experience of many mothers.  Excruciating pain.
>It is not good press for breastfeeding, but it is the truth.
>>While I in no way condone the Daily News article, which sounds
>completely negative and out of  balance, let's not forget that the
>experiences described are real and should not be dismissed in our
>enthusiastic rush to promote breastfeeding in warm, glowing terms.
>
>Ros Escott
>Ros, you are right , of course. Some women do experience excruciating pain
>but that is not "most women" and their problems are usually  preventable
>or remediable. The problem with the Daily News article was the lack of
>balance, and its exclusively negative tone. I suspect this author had a
>nasty BF experience herself and is projecting her anger in a destructive
>way. Abm companies could not have produced a more destructive, anti
>breastfeeding article. The people who read this paper, I suspect are lower
>income & are less confident breastfeeders anyway and have fewer resources
>for problem solving. New York WIC moms now have breastfeeding rates which
>have reached about 40% after long, hard work. That can be expected to drop
>as a result of this article.
So, while your reminder to be sensitive to the issue of exteme pain is well
taken, the need is great to get a message across to the press that that
kind of scaremongering is intolerable.
So, write, write, write! [log in to unmask]
Margot C. Mann IBCLC, New York.

>