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Subject:
From:
"katherine a. dettwyler" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 6 Feb 1996 10:44:11 -0600
Content-Type:
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Re the meddling relative and whether it is "worth it" to try educating her.
I always feel it's worth at least some effort (certainly it's easy enough
for me to pop some articles in the mail to her -- including a letter from
Frank Oski stating that breastfeeding is good for children beyond three
years of age! -- he's one of the good guys), and she wants to make the
effort.  And yes, this is just "some old aunt" who apparently never had
children.  BUT, she is going around soliciting information from
pediatricians in Indiana about her relative in Houston.  She talking to
everyone who will listen about how this woman is *harming* her child.  So
she's having a huge influence on lots of people.  If she can be gently
educated, and provided research and references to show her that she is
wrong, perhaps she will see the light, and start telling people she meets
about the current research.  IMHO (in my humble opinion) it will take a
major change in our culture for it to become breastfeeding- and
baby-friendly, and that requires everyone being supportive, not just the
breastfeeding moms.  So I advocate educating everyone we can, because we all
know how those rude stares, hurtful comments,
none-of-my-business-but-I'll-butt-my-nose-in-anyhow questions can be
detrimental to breastfeeding.

I posted early last December about my colleague whose baby had IUGR (mother
had pre-eclampsia, was induced at 37 weeks).  Baby was 4 lbs. some oz. when
born, but otherwise healthy.  Totally on breast milk.  Had his 2 month check
up last week and weighs 9 lbs 6 oz!  Even still, numerous relatives are
questioning whether the mother has enough milk, has rich-enough milk, can
possible be providing for her baby, etc. etc. etc. and encouraing/almost
demanding that they supplement with formula so he'll "get enough."  The
parents asked the doctor to please write out a statement to the effect that
Max had gained 50% more in the first 2 months of life than his doctor
considered "normal and adequate" and that if he gained any faster it
wouldn't be good for him, and that his mother must have lots of nice rich
milk.  They had him sign it with his name and "Max's pediatrician" and the
they FAXED it to relatives in Indiana and California.  I thought that was
pretty amusing....
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Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.                         email: [log in to unmask]
Anthropology Department                               phone: (409) 845-5256
Texas A&M University                                    fax: (409) 845-4070
College Station, TX  77843-4352

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