>2. How do we not make women feel guilty for choosing not to breastfeed? Dr.
>Jack would have a field day with this lady!!!

>Jane Ciaramella RNC,IBCLC
>
And maybe you told her: We haven't figured out how to control other
people's feelings or behaviors, only our own. We tell mothers breast is
best.

I might add that I'll never forget a nurse practitioner who admonished me
for not using birth control when I went in for a prescription for asthma
meds. Her behavior was culturally biased and condecending. I can still hear
her snap at me: "Well, are you trying to get pregnant?" To which I
responded politely, "I'm trying to breathe." She clearly thinks that every
menstruating woman who steps into the office needs to be using birth
control. I think that every pregnant woman who steps into the office needs
to hear about breastfeeding. But if I talk to everyone about breastfeeding,
then I'm accused of making women feel guilty. If she talks to everyone
about birth control, she is applauded for doing her job.

My point is this: The only person's behaviors or feelings that we can
control is our own. We can present the facts. Or we can omit the facts and
reflect our cultural bias. Breast is best. If women feel guilty for not
giving their babies the best, well, maybe they should. My basic philosophy
is the people feel guilty only when they know in their hearts that they are
wrong.

OK, off my soapbox.....






--
Marie Biancuzzo, Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
PO Box 387
Herndon VA 20172
Phone 703-758-0092
Fax 703-758-0891
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