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Subject:
From:
laura h ehrenzeller <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 18 Apr 1996 11:10:30 -0400
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Hi Johnathan,
Certainly understand your frustration! I feel the same exact way! I take
EVERY opportunity to EDUCATE our patients about the detriments of formula
feeding and about the benefits of breastfeeding. We have a wonderful bf
program for promotion and continuation of the bf relationship. Taking EVERY
opportunity to EDUCATE means valuing them as individuals and respecting
their free agency,a rare experience for alot of our patients.  I work with
very young mothers from poor circumstances.  Many of our mothers thought
having a baby would give them someone that would love them.   We give them
the facts and the warnings but ultimately, as you know, it is still THEIR
decision.  Yes, the research is there, but some of our Moms aren't
there,meaning they aren't emotionally mature enough to understand the
writing on the wall. We just keep EDUCATING-looking for EVERY opportunity to
talk about bf, sometimes that's even after they have chosen to bottlefeed.
I,personally, refuse to brow beat them to death when I see them in clinic
with bottle in hand.  I,instead, put my personal feelings aside and look for
another way to EDUCATE about bf.  I look beyond that bottle for a moment to
say something positive about the beautiful baby or what a wonderful mother
they are. Adding that,"you know-you can still initiate a bf relationship
even now".(if their baby isn't too old) A few have taken us up on the offer!
Sometimes that also includes teaching them how to bottlefeed from the
breastfeeding perspective. These Moms get enough negative garbage at home-I
refuse to contribute to that.  My job is to EDUCATE and EMPOWER, sometimes
they don't catch it until the next pregnancy and sometimes that means a
friend might be the one to benefit from her new found knowledge. And, our
sucesses are wonderful because we are having more and more patients initiate
the bf relationship on their own.  We have seen our numbers rise
considerably but, there is always lots of room for growth so we keep
plugging away!

LauraH. Ehrenzeller,BA,Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Proud!

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