Kerry, I am a journalist too, and I endorse everything you say. In
particular, I would echo you in saying
>
>
>3. Repeat again and again that women deserve to be fully informed
>about breastfeeding. Rather
>than going on and on about the guilt issue, simply note that it is
>rather patronizing to withhold
>health information from women in an effort to protect their delicate
>sensibilities. In other words,
>emphasize that women are smart, women are strong, and women deserve
>to be treated like
>adults.
>
>4. Acknowledge that women experience many barriers to breastfeeding.
>
>5. Never blame women for not breastfeeding. Rather, call for
>societal reforms that will make it
>easier for women to breastfeed.
Take the emphasis away from the individual woman. Breastfeeding is a
social choice, and it needs social support....the way I put it when
asked is to say that breastfeeding guidelines (in the UK, to feed
exclusively for six months) are not so much a recommendation for
mothers and babies, as a call to their healthcare providers,
employers and others to make it possible for women to do this.
>
>In hindsight, I think it may have been a mistake for breastfeeding
>supporters to respond en masse
>to Tish Durkin.
Agreed. I sometimes cringe when I see responses about bf.....they
play into journalists' hands.
Careful, sensitive, cool, calm and *brief* responses are always better.
Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK
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