Jeanne says: <They have to feel comfortable with the decisions they make so
that above all,
they can be the best parents that they can be.>

I think that Barbara was talking about bottle feeding as a tool to fix
breastfeeding problems.  There are certain bottles we use and specific ways
to give the bottle, and of course it is EBM in the bottle, in order to
maintain milk supply, feed the baby and correct the breastfeeding.  We have
to be careful not to assume that breast/bottle feeding is ok in every
situation.

I agree that parents should be comfortable with the decisions and that we
should not make decisions for them.  I often have this discussion with the
nurses I work with.  The guilt word usually creeps into this discussion.  I
want to know what you as a nurse says to parents who do not want to give
immunizations to their babies? Or to the mom who says that she HAS to smoke
during her pregnancy because this is what is good for her.  Allowing a mom
to choose artificially supplemented breastfeeding ( i.e. breast plus bottles
of artificial milk which as we all know is the road to weaning) is a choice
that has to be discouraged because it is a dangerous choice long term.  I am
not opening a discussion on immunizations here.  This is my usual answer to
the guilt argument because health care professionals are never afraid to
make moms feel guilty about not immunizing their babies, but not
breastfeeding is open to personal choice.  Breastfeeding is not a lifestyle
choice.  It is just as much a health issue as immunizations.
Esther Grunis, IBCLC
Lis Maternity Hospital
Tel Aviv, Israel

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