I hesitate to jump in with an opinion when we have just a limited amount of
knowledge of the facts, but there have been several posts on Lactnet in the
past few days about breastfeeding babies being summarily taken from their
mothers with no regard to the breastfeeding relationship and the
consequences of its disruption for mother and for baby.  My first reaction
is outrage, of course.  But I also want to make a plea for withholding
judgement until all the facts in the case(s) are known.  I find that too
often we (as a society) make snap judgements on the basis of initial news
reports without carefully evaluating all the information available to those
involved in the decision.  We are quick to place blame, perhaps unfairly.
I do agree that there needs to be far more information about breastfeeding
(both its importance and how it works) for those in the social services and
legal systems who make decisions to separate mothers and babies, and that
they should have to clearly justify any such extreme action.

In regards to Anne Merewood's 21 year old mom who was told to find a stable
home for a month to get her baby back, wouldn't it make more sense for dss
to help provide resources for her to do this than to separate her from her
breastfeeding baby?  Just in terms of costs to the taxpayer, I would think
so. But it is hard to know what went into the thinking behind this
decision, whether it is ignorance, a power play, or what, without hearing
from the other side.  And often they cannot speak publicly without
breaching confidentiality.  Could you provide a packet of information to
dss for this and future situations for protecting, supporting and promoting
breastfeeding?  I'd include the benefits for health, bonding and
attachment, cognitive development, economics, and how to keep up the milk
supply.  Also, how to pump, store and give the milk during separation.  For
sure include the new AAP recommendations.  Maybe dss would be willing to
have an inservice on breastfeeding for their staff.

In regard to the other case, I did look up Sharon, WI on the map.  It is a
town of 1,200 (1980 census) in Walworth County, on the Illinois border,
about 14 miles east of Beloit.  In view of the seriousness of the
situation, I would think a good, breastfeeding-knowledgeable pediatrician
could be located in either Milwaukee or Chicago, if not closer, (Beloit or
Rockford) to give a "second" (or third) opinion, if that is what is needed.
 I asked the breastfeeding coordinator of Wisconsin WIC to see if she can
find out any information to help on that case.

Anne Altshuler, RN, MS, IBCLC and LLL Leader in Madison, WI
e-mail:   [log in to unmask]