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Subject:
From:
"Jennifer C. Klein" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 20 Aug 1996 10:29:04 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
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At the risk of being flamed off the list, or sumarily unsubscribed, I feel the
need to respond to some recent threads - particularly those on what it takes to
be a good LC/breastfeeding professional and the supermarket theatrics.

First I will introduce myself. I am a 28 year old mother of a 4 1/2 month old
boy, completely breastfed. I am not a breastfeeding professional. Yes, I know
I am not supposed to be here, but I find the list very interesting for
information beyond my own breastfeeding issues. I have been considering trying
to volunteer some time at my hospital to encourage more mothers to breastfeed,
strictly on a peer basis. I love nursing my son, and I wish every mother could
feel this good about the experience.

And I would rather get information here than call my local LC!

It seems everytime I hear something good about an LC, I hear at least one or
two bad things. And this is not limited to one geographic area. I am on a
private internet mailing list for new moms (out babies were born over about
a 6 week spread), on which I have seen nummerous vents about LCs from all over
the country (USA).

The issues range from an LC berating a new mother for "doing it wrong" while
still in the hospital (baby now completely formula fed), to an LC making
judgemental comments about the morality of a client with children outside of
marriage to a LLL meeting, to a group of LCs who never followed through with
a client (said they were going to contact LACTNET for help, the mother never
heard from them again, baby now completely formula fed). I know a good number
of women who have given up breastfeeding in the last few months - they had mixed
feelings about weaning, but were thrilled to be rid of the LC. I have many more
stories.

And, as I mentioned above, I'd rather get information here than call the local
LC.

So, my point is this....as you discuss the best ways to disseminate information,
consider the appearance. Yes, it is awful that it must be considered, that
breastfeeding is something for which to lobby and not the norm, etc., but that
is a reality of the day. Constant, considered work will continue to make
inroads into the psyche of the public. When working with new mothers in
particular, encourage, don't condemn; support, don't berate. Point your
legitimate anger and activism elsewhere, not at the new mother who hasn't
slept in days. Although some may view new moms as "victims" of marketing, DON'T
treat us that way. Condesending attitudes DO NOT help!

You WILL catch more with honey than with vinegar!!!

I mean this post to help the cause overall. _I_ want breastfeeding to be the
norm and abm to be the exception!! Flame me if you will, but as a new
mother, I wish my local LC had seen this post before I went to her. Maybe
she'd still have a client.

Jennifer Klein
Aaron's mom (4-1-96)
[log in to unmask]
http://noodle.med.yale.edu/~akklein/aaron.html

PS Saw a segment on the news this morning about breastfeeding. A good plug
for LCs.

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