Kathy, thanks for your comments on this issue!  There are probably many more
women who would not choose to relactate than who would.  This is the same
for adoptive moms who initially consider breastfeeding.  Many mothers don't
really want it enough to go to any exceptional effort.  Of course, with the
bio moms, especially, it depends alot on what really happened, and why they
really didn't get breastfeeding going, initially.  Some really didn't want
to, in the first place, but feel the need to pay lip service to it, anyway.
Others have made sincere efforts, which have presented challenges that they
just did not have the resources to deal with.  Although I think there is
more consistency now, as far as the quality of LCs and other breastfeeding
advisors, it is still very possible for a mother to consult what would seem
to be the right people, and still not find the information and support they
need to succeed.

I guess the best anyone can do is offer basic information that relactation
is possible, and an offer of help.  The rest is up to the mother.

"I feel that the mother's feelings are very important because she is the =
one making or breaking the situation. I find with my WIC population that =
while we may see relactation as "easily attainable" the mother very =
often sees it as hard. I am not bashing these moms just pointing out =
that they might see things differently than we do. She may try it once =
or twice but gives up when baby balks. She may not really want to give =
up the "ease" of bottle feeding to struggle with her baby to nurse. She =
might not be willing to put forth enough effort and commitment to change =
the status quo. Her baby may not be cooperative and she will have to =
change his mind or teach him something new. This has been an issue at =
our WIC due to the difference in what staff hopes for and what the moms =
are willing to do effort-wise with their babies. (And this WIC is =
willing to go all out and provide the mom with all the devices and =
visits from an IBCLC that she needs."

Kathy Eng, BSW, IBCLC
Houston, TX

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