Re:  Dr. Snyderman's comments.  Ellen's post from Israel contained a
provacative statement from the delegate who represented working women.  This
person (a feminist like myself) felt that breastfeeding was a ploy used to
keep women chained to traditional roles.  In the Snyderman segmant, the same
sort of logic was employed where nursing and bottle feeding women saw each
other as antagonistic and judgemental of each other's positions (much like
how the working and non-working woman dicototomy or the pro-choice vs
pro-life discussion has been framed).  I think breastfeeding can only lose
when we polarize the discussion into that realm of judgementalism.  So long
as all we do is call each other names and try to make people feel guilty
about their choices, we'll never unite.  That is what keeps us weak.

Breastfeeding is an intensely feminist activity:  empowering,
life-enhancing, full of opportunity for self-and other-knowledge.  However,
we all know that it is time consuming.  The economics of the global
environment are just as greedy for women's time and labor as they always
have been historically, and women still see less return for their
contributions.  The big ploy is to divide women on these issues so they
fight one another instead of demanding appropriate maternity services and
workplace protection.  What we want to do is be smarter than the old 'divide
and conquor' and refuse to be manipulated on the level of reproductive
health.  Diplomacy, courteous discourse, constantly taking every opportunity
to educate, and remembering how much help it took for us to breastfeed are
so impt.  Not everyone gets good help.  When they fail, should we blame them
or accept that they did the best they could given the dynamics of the
system.  And shouldn't we in bfg all work in a united way to try to change
the system.

This brings me to my next point.  If people in bfg don't join their
professional organizations (ILCA) and don't support WABA and NABA with money
and time just where do people think the lobbying efforts to make those
changes will come from?  There is a mentality that says:  What have those
organizations done for ME lately?  Think rather:  What have I done lately to
advance my profession and the cause of breastfeeding at the level of
influencing policy?  Rembember the old union phrase:  Don't mourn.
Organize!

I absolutely refuse to turn on my sisters (who, with the right approach
might turn into my allies).


Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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