Karleen wrote:
>Mothers need to have breastfeeding presented in such as way that
makes them think "I can do that" and I think that presentations of
"discreet" breastfeeding of tiny babies has an important place.<

Yes.
I spend a lot of time reassuring mothers that they do NOT have to
remove all their clothes to nurse if their baby gets hungry while they
are shopping in the mall. Discovering which clothes work best for
breastfeeding is part of the learning curve.
On the other hand, I also let them know that their breasts will not
fall off if they do not wear a bra 24/7, especially in the privacy of
their own homes :)

> However, I also think that women need to also see images of breastfeeding that clearly show that it is not something to be ashamed of and that it is good for it to continue for years. We need diversity to both make mums feel comfortable and to stretch them.
My research into long-term breastfeeding in Australia found that the
overwhelming majority of women had not originally intended to
breastfeed long-term and that many had been absolutely horrified and
repulsed when they saw a non-infant breastfeed. However, this
experience also became part of the process by which they decided to
continue breastfeeding themselves.<

I remember the first LLL meeting I attended  while pregnant with baby
#1, when a three yr old ran into the room, lifted her mama's shirt,
nursed for all of three seconds and ran out again.
I was flabbergasted!
I had no idea that such an *old* child would/could/should nurse. I
truly thought that babies somehow weaned themselves to bottles and
formula around six months of age.  There was NO WAY that I would ever
be nursing past infancy.
My children taught me otherwise, Their needs superceeded cultural
norms, but if I had not SEEN someone nursing an older child I am not
sure that I would have done it myself.

>I also think that messages that come from health professionals carry
weight and that we should take advantage of that!<

I was on the phone with my younger daughter this morning. She was
excited to tell me that there was a new mother in her LLL Group, an MD
who was currently nursing her 2 yr old, was pregnant and who was
planning a second home birth. That mother/MD sent powerful messages by
her mere presence!

norma, who LOVES the NS posters

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