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Date: | Mon, 17 Jul 2006 06:31:22 -0400 |
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I always tell my couples in breastfeeding class that we are the only
mammal who goes to a breastfeeding class. That always gets a laugh (and
hopefully, starts them thinking).
I was glad to be reminded about the high proportion of older primips and
those now pregnant who have had major fertility problems.I had not thought
about this group as one who might have more problems with lactation but it
certainly makes good sense.
I do think, in the long run, however, that part of this is due to the way
many young women in our society CHOOSE to manage their breastfeeding
experiences today. Presently, daughters of two of my friends are fully
breastfeeding (and having no problems) but chose to introduce bottles
earlier than I would certainly recommend. These two young mothers are both
Masters prepared in their occupational fields. One had to give bottles
because mother was acutely ill right after birth (is fine now) and the
other chose to introduce a bottle by two weeks (even though she is nursing
very well). That one complains of lots of fullness but I only mentioned
once the possibility that this might be due to her pumping for these
(unnecessary) bottles (which we all here would discourage,I know). It is
not my place to make further recommendations because the mother is
satisfied with her own management plan.
So, as lactation people, we see the gamut: the "failures" along with the
successes. I feel that we need to take each mother/ baby couplet where
they are and work with the supply they have (for whatever reason). if we
can improve or "fix" the problem, that's wonderful, but if not, it is our
job to give Mom the best experience possible, keeping in mind that each
mother's "ideal experience" will be very different (and more than likely
very different from our own).
I learned long ago to take that necessary "step back" and meet the patient
where she is. Many times, I have had to bite my tongue because the
mother's plan is so different from what I would do. But again, I remind
myself that there are many ways to breastfeed a baby (or at least get
breastmilk into the baby). Taking "the road less travelled" does not mean
that the lactation professional is "wimping out" as some have inferred in
the past. It doesn't mean we are settling for less. It means we are
quiwetly going about our job and probably getting farther in the long run.
I know that personally, if I make sure I do some good teaching for Mom
(about latch or what have you) in front of the pediatrician who happens to
be standing there(who I am hoping to teach), that doc absorbs what I am
saying and doesn't even realize it. I would rather do that and make a
small difference than be outspoken and confrontational and then have that
same doc completely tune me out (then and in the future as well).I
accomplish far more "going in the back door" as it were and benefit all my
mothers that way.
Betsy Riedel RNC, IBCLC
Connecticut
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