Jan wrote:

>The NICU nurse said, "I really don't think it is in her best interest to
>breastfeed."

And *who* may I ask, appointed that nurse the judge of what is in that
mother's - or those babies' - best interests?  Comments like this infuriate
me.  How can anyone else be the judge of what a mother is willing or NOT
willing to do for her babies?  And would it be in the mother's best interest
to agree to an inferior method of feeding, only to find out later that their
health is compromised in any of several significant ways???  Regardless of
the physical challenges to this particular mother, or even the potential
risks to her health (and any such challenges are highly theoretical), if the
*mother* thinks it is in her best interest to breastfeed, then it IS in her
best interest!!!

Sheesh.  Being a nurse, I cringe at such stories.  I'm reminded of my eighth
grade nun who used to ask particularly know-it-all classmates, "Who died and
left *you* God?"

Mary Renard, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Vienna  VA  USA
posting for myself, not my employer

=====================================================
Mary Riley Renard, RN, BSN, IBCLC
CERP/Recertification Coordinator
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
P O Box 2348
Falls Church  VA  22042-0348  USA
Phone   703-560-7330
Fax     703-560-7332
E-mail  [log in to unmask]
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