I'm not sure if everyone on this list is aware that the March of Dimes
(MOD) has free perinatal education guides available for parents through
their local MOD chapters.  The good news is they have NO ADS and they are
FREE? (does this sound familiar?!)

Well, of course the first thing I had to read was the article on
breastfeeding.  The bad news is the title was "The Pros and Cons of
Breastfeeding".  It was written by Lynn G. Wellman, MS, RNC, editor of the
MOD learning modules and manager of Nursing Outreach and Education at MOD.
Overall, the information in the article was pretty good, well researched
and accurate.  References included the AAP Policy Statement and Lawrence's
review of the medical benefits and contraindications to BF in the US.

I was somewhat concerned about the situations they listed as cons.  The
cons listed included:

1.  baby has a digestive problem that requires a special diet (I thought
breastmilk was best for most of these situations).

2.  when the mother takes specific medications for some illnesses like
cancer, active TB or psychiatric disorders (I can see a lot of moms with
postpartum depression interpreting this as I can't take the meds I need and
breastfeed).

3.  if the mother has HIV.

4.  when the mother takes street drugs.

In addition, the "don't feel guilty if you can't breastfeed" theme is
intertwined throughout the entire article.  Perhaps I am off base here, but
I continue to be irritated with articles written by well meaning
professionals that undermine breastfeeding in an effort to keep people from
feeling guilty.

Overall, this booklet is a great resource for childbirth educators and it's
free, but I'm not pleased with this article on brestfeeding.   If you want
to take a look at it you can probably order it from MOD at their website
www.modimes.org or by calling 1-888-modimes.  You may have to go through
your local MOD chapter to get it.

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Manhattan, KS  USA