I agree with Judy that newspapers tend to publish argumentative 
letters.  I have had lots of letters published on political topics, but 
never one on breastfeeding.  The only difference is that I am 
respectful and non-argumentative in the breastfeeding letters.  In the 
political ones I use a lot of sarcasm to get my point across.  I will 
keep trying, though. :-)

I also think we need to take Kerry Ose's excellent advice about 
responding professionally and not in the heat of passion.  I suggest 
that anyone writing a letter check the archives for her post "response 
to media portrayals."  I think we should also always write in a warm, 
friendly tone of voice so that we let mothers know that LCs are not 
angry, militant people.  (Of course we are angry -- at the formula 
companies and the people they have bought off -- but mothers will pick 
up on that anger and think it is directed at them or at women who have 
failed at breastfeeding.)

I recently heard an interview with a man who had been involved in a 
terrorist organization, and I was really impressed with the 
interviewer.  He asked his questions in a calm, interested tone of 
voice, even though the content of the questions was very intense.  It 
really enabled the listener to focus on the content of the interview, 
rather than getting caught up in emotion.  If we want people to really 
HEAR what we are saying, we need to calmly provide scientific 
information and not get baited by cheap tactics (such as talking about 
mothers' choices) that try to take the listener away from the real 
message -- that breastfeeding is good for mothers and babies.

Lynnette Hafken, MA, LLLL, IBCLC, Maryland, USA

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