>>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. >