LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Robyn & Stephen Paull <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 28 Nov 2006 22:20:09 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (74 lines)
<<I gasped aloud when I read this.  This little guy was only halfway =
through a *minimum* normal breastfeeding duration and we're taken = aback??
This is precisely why we need La Leche League.  Our own = profession seems
to be more and more about getting a superior liquid = into tiny tummies, and
less and less about supporting mothers and = children in achieving and
maintaining a warm, wonderful, normal, = years-long breastfeeding
relationship.  That change scares me more than = any Scope of Practice.
Mother-to-mother support groups have always = understood and honored the
relationship.  What will breastfeeding = cultures think of us "lactation
consultants" if we fail to do the same?>>

How right you are Diane...I should hope that the very people who are so
passionate about breastfeeding can see beyond the cultural norms and value
the process of breastfeeding over the product itself.  It will be a very sad
day indeed if the 'professionals' in this field have a problem with an older
child nursing (and 15 months is no where near 'older' child).  I too have
been amazed at the number of lactation/childbirth/doula conferences where
children older than 3-6 MONTHS are not welcome (even if they are still
breastfeeding).  That isn't even to the minimum for starting solids yet in
some cases. 

However all is not lost.  I attended the ILCA conference this past July in
Philadelphia with my still nursing 3.5 year old (as I simply could/would not
leave him for a full week!).  He nursed often throughout the conference as
he was far from home with lots of strangers around, etc.  I did not have a
single negative comment from anyone (at least none that I heard anyway), but
I did have a number of positive comments about how well behaved he was and
wonderful it was to see an 'older' nursling.  Some of you may remember me
carrying him in my sling-he's about 40lbs with a head of thick red hair and
dimples. I enjoyed the conference very much, learned even more and didn't
even think twice about bringing him with me.  I just assumed that an ILCA
conference would welcome a breastfeeding child, and I would have been
utterly shocked and betrayed had I been told he wasn't welcome or been
subject to rude comments regarding his continued nursing at his age (or his
presence at the conference for that matter).  

I have a thought about all of this that is sort of related...and I wonder if
any others out there share my feelings.  There a number of us IBCLC's (and
those getting ready to certify) that are of the younger generation, with
small children, often still nursing, who are trying to break into/or are
starting out in this field.  We have issues that are unique to our stage in
life and we also have viewpoints and ways of thinking/solving problems (I am
thinking of the use of technology/internet/etc) that are also unique to
generation that we fall into.  Some of us attend these conferences and I
just don't see any effort being made to include the younger generation
and/or the needs that we have (such as bringing small children with us).
Case in point-the ILCA conference.  While my son and I were welcomed and no
negative comments came my way, it also was NOT child-friendly at all.  If
ILCA wants to bring in new, young blood-please think about your younger
(still childbearing :-) )members!!  I'd also love to see some sessions on
issues that relate to the younger generation in LC practice as well.  (And
yes, I wrote this all on my evaluation sheet!)

Thoughts anyone??


Sweet Nursings,
 
Robyn Roche-Paull
LLLL, IBCLC, BS:MCH
*****************************************
Mom to Morgan (10), Siobhan (7) and Tiernan (3)

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R).
There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

ATOM RSS1 RSS2