All of the posts related somehow to Harvey Karp's book remind me of one of
my old Lactnet posts ("Unexpected Mothering") that I added to the
publications page of my website. It was in regard to all the unexpected
things that mothering can bring--particularly in western and westernized
societies. It is possible (and critical) to meet mothers where they are
while fulfilling our ethical obligation to provide them the information
they need to make informed decisions. Doing so is a fine art--one which may
require us to help mothers grieve their loss of a sense of knowledge about
and competence in parenting and to help them recognize parenting as an
invitation to personal growth. When what we were taught is true and
effective and loving by our entire society doesn't work with our actual
baby, we experience a sense of loss. A mother may need this loss
acknowledged and her grief supported before she is able to consider
learning what does work with her actual baby. Upon occasion, those who
support breastfeeding mothers are privileged to be permitted to be a part
of that process of grief and learning.

Learning and growing in good company,

Cynthia

Cynthia Good Mojab, MS, IBCLC
Ammawell
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web site: http://home.attbi.com/~ammawell

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