Dear Joyce,

I think a more subtle attack on breastfeeding is not possible. Who out this
together. If it really is about education, it needs to be accurate.

Date:    Tue, 8 Jan 2002 14:32:10 -0500
From:    "Coleman, Joyce" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Need input on bottle feeding instructions

Hello, I'm hoping that you'll be able to help me provide some constructive
written feedback on a bottle feeding handout that we have available for our
patients.  This is part of an online patient teaching program, and I'm
afraid that I'm too shocked to be objective.

>as I read along, I begin to see that the handout is not just about using a
bottle but using ABM

>this document is full of misinformation and seems to carry the message,
don't
let your baby bother you too much, carry on with your adult life, let others
take care of the child

>it also ignores the joy of mothering and breastfeeding and the importance
of
the mother ~ child bond for physical and emotional health

Here it goes:

"What are the benefits of bottle feeding?

>there are none for the infant, whose needs are we addressing here, the
baby's
or the mother's or some else with an agenda? like the money maker's?

Bottle feeding makes it easy for you to know how much milk your baby is
getting. You will be able to easily see how much milk your baby is drinking
by looking at the bottle markings.

>it lessens a mother's trust in her body, her awareness of what is good for
her
child and her ability to mother


Other people can feed your baby, such as the father, friends, grandparents,
or daycare provider. Some people feel that bottle feeding gives you more
freedom and does not tie you down.

>other people can interact with the baby in more appropriate ways, babies
are
born to a mother and are dependent on that very same mother for their
emotional survival as well, many mothers no longer breastfeeding cherish
those moments with fond memories, a healthily bonded mother infant pair does
not feel tied down


Older brothers and sisters can get to know the "new baby" by feeding him.

>they have a life time to get to know each other, they can get to know him
by
doing his laundry and preparing meals for the mom


Bottle feeding helps you get more rest because others can help with
nighttime feedings.

>Nonsense, a mother confident that HER baby is sleeping soundly beside her
and
nursing regularly can be the most rested person on the planet, all the
movement of others around the house in the night and the bottle preparation
and the wondering if the baby is alright can be nerve wracking and
absolutely exhausting


Unlike a breastfeeding mother, you can use whatever kind of birth control
you choose.

>if you are nursing at night with the baby beside you, you are less likely
to
begin ovulating soon after giving birth, if you want birth control, you have
plenty of choices


You do not have to carefully watch your diet. Six weeks after delivery you
can start to diet and exercise to lose weight.

>you don't need to watch your diet with breastfeeding, breastfeeding burns
more
calories than pregnancy and you sure can exercise, if you want to

You can bottle feed your baby anywhere. You do not have to worry about
wearing the right piece of clothing to make it easier to feed your baby.
You may wear whatever clothes you choose because you do not have to worry
about getting your baby to the breast.

>you can breastfeed anywhere, you can wear most anything you want, you can
relish in the large sexy breasts full of milk that are so amazing in that
they sustain life and nourish a baby in a manner no other substance can
approach! Wow!


It may be more enjoyable having sex if you bottle feed. This is because you
will not have sore nipples or leaky breasts. Hormone changes in the
breastfeeding mother may cause the vagina to be dry and cause painful sex.

>Lactating breasts are very sexy, they are bigger and so amazing! painful
sex?
this is a bunch of rubbish

. . . Cow's milk formula also has the right amounts of vitamins and
minerals that babies need."

>yes, if you are a baby calf

Eagerly anticipating your suggestions,

>I suggest to begin at square one, 1) name it if you a describing ABM,
2)name it
if you are talking about placing the needs of the mother or father or ABM
manufacturer over those of the baby, 3)make a list of the health risks to
the baby, and 4) a list of the lack of benefits for the mom, 5)  be sure to
mention the value of sucking a human nipple for muscle development in the
baby's mouth that is lost with bottles, and 6) describe that the hormonal
benefits that flood the mother will breastfeeding will be lost


Joyce Coleman, RN, IBCLC, LCCE

>Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie, Midwife
>Palau

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