But if nobody ever shows pictures of older babies nursing, of various 
mothers nursing, how will we change the culture? As long as we accept that 
these things are "unacceptable" it will keep on being that way.

Years ago I worked in an agency with many young women (social workers). Many 
were having babies, and most bottlefed or breastfed for a short time. I 
bought the first set of INFACT posters (showing photos of breastfeeding 
babies, and of bare breasts, with funny captions) and put them all around my 
office. I got some comments at first. But people got used to them, over 
time. They generated discussion. I talked about nursing my own children for 
many years. Pregnant women started dropping in and talking to me about 
breastfeeding, and calling me for help after the baby was born. They'd drop 
in for staff lunches and bring their nursing babies and then other pregnant 
women would talk to them. The culture in that office completely changed, and 
by the time I left, the breastfeeding rate was 100% and many of the babies 
were nursed for two years or longer.

I think it's okay if people are shocked or put off at first. It's often how 
we react to something new. But if we keep seeing those kind of images, keep 
hearing people talk about this, we get used to it. It starts to seem 
almost... normal.

Teresa Pitman
Guelph Ontario 

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