I think women appreciate honesty, if it isn't expressed, as Barbara
Wilson-Clay said today, "as if it were our role in life to dole out
punishment to people who appear not to be trying hard enough."
So, as long as you aren't in a popularity contest anyway, keep those words
in mind-- make them your mantra-- and give women the straight story. Bet
you won't be sorry. And rant to Lactnet whenever you need to, that is part
of our function.
You might consider the ethics angle, how your knowledge carries an
imperative to share it in your practice, as in 'I would be negligent if I
didn't let you know that your chances of avoiding outcome x,y,or z would be
improved by breastfeeding. Now you have the information and you can choose
what to do with it.' Followed closely by: 'I am also prepared to help you
in a,b,c ways if there are any of alternatives p,q,r you would like to try,
now or later.'
We have one pediatrician, herself mother of two children who to my knowledge
were breastfed, who always asks women about family history of allergy when
it's her turn to do the newborn exams on morning rounds. Any woman who
tells of a positive history would be told, 'then it's really important that
you BF as long as possible'. Period. End of conversation. When I notice a
mother of two or more start to sag at these words, I always ask, 'How did it
go last time?' and I think it has helped this well-intentioned doctor to do
a little checking before tossing these non-negotiable orders around because
the stories of premature weaning that emerge are usually full of true
sadness and often misinformation or mismanagement of early problems.
Again, the key is to change the direction of the info flow. Who is this
woman before you? What are her concerns or fears? What stopped her before
and how can the same problems be avoided this time?
crusading onward in the pouring rain-- how much water can there BE up there
any more?
Rachel Myr
normally followed by lots of initials that don't tell you anything really,
in Kristiansand, (Southern) Norway
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