In a message dated 10/8/00 3:06:56 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
 writes:
<<
 I think what has happened in this profession is that somehow our job
 description has become putting babies to the breast. Mothers and
 administrators of programs seem to think that's what we do.  But how
enabling
 to mothers is having someone else put the baby to the breast.  How often
I
 have heard from mothers that someone in the hospital put the baby to the
 breast but she can't do it.   Just like mothers who can't deliver
babies,
 their doctors do it for them.  (And yes sometimes assistance is
necessary).
 But overall, who breastfeeds?  Who must do the work?

Dear Valerie,
Surely, it used to be that the mother delivered her babies, with help
from an experienced woman  if available.  And she used to breastfeed with
the aid of her 'peers' if she hadn't learned the 'how to's' by
observation by the time she had delivered.
Today's babies are delivered and sectioned by the doctor at the doctor's
convenience.  With the intervention of epidurals & other meds. a woman
can not deliver in a natural squatting position where her pelvic area
would be opened 20 - 30% wider.  (This is how most Swedish women are now
delivering their own babies again with virtually no episiotomies either.)
 Then there are the hormornes in our food supply that are sending signals
to our moms' endocrine system which cause havoc in the area of
lactogenesis.
Unfortunately there has to be lactation consultants who act as peers &
who know how to empower a mom at breastfeeding.  Who in the world would
help them to breastfeed when the baby can not even latch on due to
anesthesia?  Not to be unkind, but the next time you hear a mom who
doesn't have the confidence or knowledge to put her baby to breast,  just
let her know what you are doing and why.  They will be empowered if they
know how breastfeeding works.  Teach them to ask 'why' when someone tells
them anything about breastfeeding & then teach them to get a second
opinion from a breastfeeding expert (someone with more than an hour of BF
education) if they don't like the answer.  Less chance for a well meaning
HCP to make them stop breastfeeding for lack of information.
Believe me Valerie, there are many intimidated or scared women who would
BF & thank you if they are empowered with knowledge.  We are that someone
to let them know it isn't their fault that the baby doesn't know how to
latch on.  Or it isn't their fault that their milk is not coming in as
nature meant for it to.  They do need our help & knowledge.

Regards,
P.Harris-Swenson, MA, IBCLC, Doula in training
WIC Nutritionist & BF Coordinator
Still behind '69 spring cleaning & Lactnet mail!
Lowell, MA  USA
cc:  Lactnet

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