Esther,

Bava to you!!!!! What a wonderful story.  I don't think you should feel at
all guilty.  We, as lactation consultants (or in my case lactation
counselors) have a responsibility to educate as well as counsel and help.

I do a similar class but we call it an "Infant feeding class" and all
prenatals have to take it.  I am a CLC working for the WIC program.  not
sure how familiar you are with WIC but basically it gives pregnat &
breastfeeding women and children ages nb - 5 yrs. free healthy foods and
nutrition counseling.  Most, but unfortunately not all, WIC clinics have a
bf counselor on site.

I felt that I had a responsibility to all pregnant women to educate so I
started this class.  We make "formula" by combining powdered milk
(Disciused as whey), vegitable oil (disguised as palm & coconut oil),
water, sugar and a bottle of water marked "vitamins, minnerals,
preservatives, chemicals and iron"  I explain the reason why each
ingreadiant is needed as we add them to our bottles and once the nasty
concoction is finnished I ask them to have a sip..... It get's my point
across very well thank you!

Of course I then go on to talk about what's in breastmilk and and dispell
any myths they may have heard as well as throwing in a few trivia facts
etc.  I am always positive and always make it clear that the class is not
about making anyone feel guilty about how they choose to feed there baby,
But that the truth can make us uncomfortable sometimes and I have a
responsibility to tell them the truth.

I have never once felt guilty about it because I figure if they sit through
that and still deside to not even try to bf they are just not worth my
guilt.....

Maybe I'm too harsh or perhaps I've been jaded but I have turned many from
abm to breastmilk!!!!!!

Jessica

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