Like everyone else here, I think the term, "breastfeeding nazi" is
extremely offensive. I think (through my reading of this particular
thread) that all of us are in agreement about this.
We have also done a lot of talking about how to change this image. Are we
going to be able to be successful? I think the answer to this is
only "partially successful."
We, as lactation specialists, have no control over what others are going
to say and do and what terms others are going to use. To think we are
going to do so is folly and a huge waste of our time.
As in any profession, there are always going to be those among us who give
the rest of us a bad name, so to speak. There will always be those
militant "activists" who approach this subject with their own brand of
enthusiasm, turning everyone around them off in the process: and thus
continuing to support the idea that we are a group of militant "wingnuts"
(for lack of a better or more appropriate word).
I can think of several places where pre-conceived notions distort reality.
One or two militant Bradley childbirth instructors can sour everyone on
the very effective Bradley approach to childbirth (which is just actually
good common sense). I can't tell you how many times I have had to dispel
the myth that all LLL members are not wacky hippies who wear Birks, long
skits, don't shave their legs and nurse their kids till they are 10!
My point is that there will always be militants among us in lactation as
well and misinformation will continue to flow from the mouths of
healthcare providers as well as from under-educated lay people.
The best thing we can do to promote breastfeeding is to be down-to-earth,
realistic and supportive of whatever amount of breastfeeding a woman
chooses. Making sure our clients have good, evidence based information to
make their choices will go a lot farther than the militant approach. Our
patients will in the long run, educate our pediatricians and nurses. We
need to teach our clients to hold their healthcare providers accountable
and that, we can do. Let's support those who are trying and educate in the
process. When we are asked to speak to a group (as was discussed
previously), let's concentrate on approaching the subject in a calm,
collected manner and dispel those myths while we're speaking. To refuse to
go and speak does us all a disservice.
The sooner our profession gets rid of the more militant approach, the
sooner we are less likely to be called any offensive names.
We can't help everyone and there is never going to be a time when all
babies are breastfed (as nice as that would be). I know it is frustrating
to see all the misinformation out there and the frustration level is often
high for those of us working in the hospital setting.
I used to be far more militant than I am now. What I learned from all my
years in lactation, from being a nurse, and also from being a parent is
that you're never going to achieve perfection: in anything. I would rather
support one's efforts and help them through a rough time than turn some
off with a militant approach that will benefit no one at all and only make
us all look like crazy ladies.
Happy new year to one and all. Let's celebrate all that we do right and
let go of what we cannot change.
Betsy Riedel RNC, IBCLC
Connecticut
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