I run a weekly very well liked and attended hospital-based breastfeeding 
support group in a basement conference room - no windows, closed door (not 
a great setting but all meeting rooms are like this for childbirth classes etc).  I 
am observing a phenomenon that I wondered if anyone else is seeing.

Last week I had 15 moms and 18 babies - some brought older non-nursing 
siblings.  Most  moms were in their 1st month to 3rd month of breastfeeding.  
One or two new moms, first time at group, used a cover up while latching the 
baby and stayed covered up for nursing.  I  commented that they didn't need 
to cover up at this type of group but they could if they felt more comfortable.  
Then as each one saw the next one cover up,  they dug into their bags and 
got out a cloth.  It is the type that you can watch the baby from the top - a 
piece of boning holds the top away from your chest. About half way through 
the 2hr group, 10 out of the 15 were using the cover ups.   I finally got more 
and more uncomfortable and said, "the way woman have traditionally learned 
to breastfeed is by watching other women. If you can not use the cloths here 
I would appreciate it."  A few took their cover ups away.

I was so saddened by this.  I've been a LC since 1993 and some things are 
getting worse, not better in our western culture.  

Betsy Ayers RN, BSN,IBCLC

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

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome