In a message dated 6/23/01 11:28:56 AM Central Daylight Time, Jo-Anne and
Carlos <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
> what do you say to a mother who comes to you and
> says, "I have decided to start giving him a bottle." How do you ask why,
> empathetically, and what does she usually answer? Then what do you say
> next?
>
I say:
"Oh, I understand. Would you share with me your reasons for reaching this
decision, so I can better help other women in the future?"
She usually replies:
I was finding it difficult to, return to work, pump in the evenings, meet the
needs of my other family members..... fill in the blanks....
Then I encourage her to continue some breastfeeding.
Nursing in the evenings, at the weekend, when she is with the baby.
I have found that there are still many moms who do not realize they can feed
their baby both. If this is a Mom who has a supply of frozen milk, I also
encourage her to use it, instead of AIM.
Although I may not be able to change this mother's mind, I also offer other
possible solutions...
"What do you think would happen if ???"
(Your bed did not get made, Your 8 yr old had to make his own sandwich, you
only pumped at work)
This may help her think about some alternatives that had not previously come
to mind.
Also, when she shares her reasons, I listen. I do not interrupt her to offer
any suggestions. I just listen. This takes much longer than you might think.
I have found that there are many layers to the reasons, or family
circumstances which lead to these decisions. It may take a while for the
mother to share all of her feelings about these issues.
The information she shares, allows me to adjust my presentations, prenatal
discussions, etc, to better cover or include these issues.
Laura Wright
Jackson, MS
***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
