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Subject:
From:
"Kim Block RNC, MSN, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 25 Oct 1998 19:45:51 EST
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Jessica,

When you have friends and relatives who don't breastfeed or do it for only a
short time, all you can do is present them with the facts and show them by
example how wonderful it can be.  My friends all breastfed for at least a
year, but my two sisters did not stay with it for very long.  My one sister
breastfed her children for 6-7 months.  She went back to work then, and didn't
want the "hassle" of pumping and leaking breasts.  The other breastfed her 2
children for only 4 months with lots of formula bottles before weaning
completely.  Her second child found himself in the hospital with pneumonia the
week after weaning.  (I did not say "I told you so," but my mother got to hear
me vent!)  I don't think she liked doing it.  She probably only did it for as
long as she did because I was her sister.

You can tell women how healthy breastmilk is for their babies, and stress the
benefits of breastfeeding for themselves as well as their child, but you can't
make them like it.  I so ENJOYED breastfeeding, the night feedings, the
snuggling in bed, the frequent opportunities to sit down and do NOTHING,
except, of course, to nurture my child.  I never read any books on the subject
before I had my children, but attachment parenting felt right to me.  My two
sisters and I had the same upbringing, not breastfed, well-cared for, but in a
regimented, non-touchy-feely way.  How did we come to be in such different
places?

I have worked in the NICU, maternity home care, and lactation for over 20
years and have a masters degree in perinatal nursing.  i.e. I know something
about babies!  I was the first of us to have children, and neither of my boys
have ever been to the MD because they were sick, and are happy and bright,
too.  (My jock 15 year old lives at the orthopedist, but that's another
story.)  Never do my sisters, who live in neighboring towns, ever ask for my
opinion or advise.  And we are rather close, do lunch, celebrate holidays
together, baby-sit for each other.  (I don't really need that last one
anymore.)  I try to keep my mouth shut, but I did tell them repeatedly that
the baby's car seat should not be in the front, and why (I was always
ignored!), and I went ballistic when I learned from my mother that sister #2
was using water from the hot tap to mix her formula.  (If she's going to use
the stuff, she at least doesn't have to give the poor kid lead poisoning in
the process!) Sigh..........She did listen to me on that one.

It's sad to know that your nieces and nephews are not being given the best
start in life.  You can, however, take great comfort in knowing you are doing
the best for your own children and those whose moms have sought out your help.

Best wishes,
Kim

Kim Block  RNC, MSN, IBCLC
Westfield, NJ, USA  (suburb of New York City)
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