I have tried to wait patiently for someone else to add this, but I
haven't seen it.  I, too, become just livid and *#0! (many adjectives,
some of them deleted) when Dr. X casually says, "You must wean so I
can prescribe such-and-such," or "so you can have an x-ray," etc or
"because you have this condition".  Nursing is seen as disposable,
elective.  I think the reason is, besides the ideas that "if I didn't
learn it in medical school it can't be important" or "my kids did OK
on soy," but also because doctors (and other HCP's) feel RESPONSIBLE
when we've asked them to help us, and for them to  BE responsible,
they think they must be able to control, or at least to know, as many
of the current variables as possible.  Breastfeeding adds a BIG
unknown (NOT "unknowABLE" but "unknown") to a situation that can give
a reasonable, responsible person pause.  While I feel sympathy for
that position, I feel furious at HCP's who will not consider nursing
and human milk important and in the best interests of the most
dependent and vulnerable among us, our babies. So, I think taking the
physiological "mystery" out of breastfeeding will go a long way to
helping more babies remain at breast for whatever time is best for
them and their moms.  (Thanks Dr. Hale and others!)
Just my $.02oops$.04.  Regards, Rowena Tucker





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