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Subject:
From:
Kathy Dettwyler <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 12 Sep 1997 05:33:23 -0500
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Ahem.  It is not the ob/gyn or pediatrician's role to allow or disallow a
mother to breastfeed or bottle-feed, in my ever so humble opinion.  It is
the HCP's role to give the mother accurate and complete information about
the risks and benefits of her infant feeding options and answer her
questions and then it is up to HER to decide what to do.  IF the doctor has
any research based evidence that having been a drug abuser or alcohol abuser
in one's lifetime prior to becoming a mother has any impact on the child,
then he should share that with the mother.  He should provide her with
accurate and complete information on how much of which kinds of drugs might
pass into her breast milk and affect her baby and what the possible
consequences are at various levels and frequencies.  He should support her
and encourage her to stop using abusing drugs and alcohol during the
pregnancy and while her child is young, by giving her referrals to programs,
helping her find a support group, etc.  Even if a mother bottle-feeds from
the start, it is not a safe environment for her young infant if she is
abusing drugs or alcohol.  But it is not the health care professionals place
to tell a mother she must bottle-feed, or she must breastfeed, for that
matter, in any situation.  We don't need the docs permission for this,
folks!!!
Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Anthropology and Nutrition
Texas A&M University
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