Janice wrote,
it really impressed me that you need BOTH
>kinds of advocacy - it needed the existence of BOTH groups of women, to get
>the job done.
...
>I ask that we support each other in our different ways of advocacy.
...
>This is the action that these moms - the breastfeeding moms - have chosen to
>take. These comments on The View matter to us. They hit us in our homes.
...
>In my town, most moms breastfeed, for a little while at least. But then I
>realized - *they never do it in public* I know they are breastfeeding, but
>they soon use bottles, or stay home. We have fairly good health and
>lactation services here. We have one year maternity leaves. These women
>are stopping because of societal attitudes!
...
> I might not understand everything about what you do, and you
>may not understand everything that PR and marketing might do. But I hope
>that I haven't done things to negate someone else's energy, or even
>undermine their work. I find it hard to think that seeing so many
>breastfeeding moms, so united and energized and proud of what they have
>accomplished, could be wrong.
I agree and have been thinking the same thing. I think it's important to
acknowledge each person's right and need to engage in activities that are
meaningful to her, using her own skills and beliefs at this point in her
life. We need thoughtful, cautious, far-sighted work, and also impulsive,
high-spirited, idealistic fervor. I do think each action needs to be done
in a respectful, well-informed manner, bearing in mind the Sears family
household rule "no put-downs". But I am uncomfortable with attempts to get
all breastfeeding advocates either to act in unison, or to collectively
agree not to participate in certain types of activism.
We respect the different ways mothers might come to breastfeeding and nurse
their babies. We don't enforce a particular position to breastfeed in. We
value the input and styles of RNs, MDs, public health specialists,
counselors, craniosacral therapists, La Leche League Leaders, peer
counselors, and many other breastfeeding facilitators. We recognize that
some of us are direct and forceful in expressing our values and knowledge
in a work setting, while others are more gradual and collaborative in our
approach. We know that nipple shields are useful tools in some situations,
and hindrances in other situations. (Or we should, after the last few
digests!)
I think that respect for diversity, and recognizing the importance of a
range of solutions, don't stop with the one-on-one counseling session but
extend to respecting the contributions of all kinds of breastfeeding
advocates and helpers, whether they are single-minded, subtle, cautious,
bold, noisy, fervent, gentle, diplomatic, impulsive, or whatever.
It's one thing if I feel personally uncomfortable with a particular
approach which is not harmonious with my own style. It's another matter to
conclude that the other person's approach is actually harmful to our shared
goals, and that therefore not only should I not be asked to applaud or
participate, but the other person shouldn't be doing it that way either.
That said, it works both ways, so it's also important for those who are
happy with nurse-ins or other forms of advocacy to be reminded that not
everyone feels the same way. Otherwise they can fall into the habit of
assuming that everyone on LACTNET automatically shares their
enthusiasm. What's it called nowadays? Groupthink? What a great word
for a very pernicious and widespread phenomenon.
Elise
the one in New Hampshire not Italy
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