Barbara,
I am not sure that a backwards nod is enough thanks for those who have fought
long and hard over the years in advocating for breastfeeding.  I believe
there is certainly a time for respect, for acknowledging those who have done much
to create the present.  Solomon so wisely observed (Ecclesiastes 3:
1-8)..."there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under
heaven.......a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a
time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to
build......"

Is the comment that very few women breastfed in the 70's and 80's dismissive
of the hard work and experience of breastfeeding advocates?  Was that the
intent? I thought we were taking a critical look at a study.  What constitutes
good breastfeeding stats? Is our perspective influential in how we view those
stats?  For instance, when I worked in the WIC Program in the year I left (1998)
my site had 58% initiation rate.  In relationship to the goal of 75%
breastfeeding initiation rate put forth by Healthy People 2000, those rates aren't
impressive.   But from my perspective, it seemed like we were doing a good job
because when I first started in 1994 there was about a 40% initiation rate.
Which makes me think of the story about the husband and wife who were undergoing
marital counseling separately.  Each was asked how their sexual relationship
was going.  The wife says she is very unhappy because they are having too much
sex, three times a week.  The husband when asked the same question says he is
very unhappy because he isn't getting enough sex, only 3 times a week.
Perspective is everything.....  Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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