Hi Darrilyn,

         I have thought for a long time that if accurate and correct ifno
were given re: bf, that people will feel badly. Badly about not knowing that
ABM harms babies, badly that they nursed in a way that didn't make enough
milk but they weren't given the support they needed to make enough, badly
that they breastfed but didn't protect from ABM too so the good they
expected didn't actually *make it* to their baby and they thought they were
*bestfeeding*.

         I know life just isn't fair. I have a VERY long medical history and
am very thankful that none of my anomolies negatively affected childbearing
and/or breastfeeding (although I was told not to continue breastfeeding
because of cancer....continued anyway - my son is now 16 years old).

        But I think the facts about breastfeeding and about ABM use should
be presented fully and people allowed to feel their feelings.

        I don't think that *we* should be expected to smile and say ABM is
almost as good. Many of the community agencies in my county have the notion
that to say too much about breastfeeding will MAKE a mother feel bad if she
*can't* breastfeed. Well, if I hadn't been able to breastfeed I would have
felt badly. And appropriately so. I would have been short changed. I would
have been really upset. But my feelings wouldn't have been a sign that I was
*disturbed*. I would have missed something truly wonderful and when moms
missout and it's because they tried their best but couldn't because life
isn't fair then it really stinks. So let her (them)feel her(their) feelings,
and that would be a healthy thing.

My rants over too.

Paula Bermingham