<< The mother who was told  if she breastfed at the hospital during her breaks
 she would lose her job is now permitted to breastfeed at work. . . . The
supervisor became very nervous when she was confronted about her
 statement and told there may be a lawsuit >>

frankly, i cannot wait for that first lawsuit. what will it be? giving a
child ABM without fully informing parents of risks? without even asking?
without offering donor milk first? giving out pacifiers? not having a
board-certified lactation consultant available? treatment by someone who is
*not* board-certified in their specialty?

now before anybody gets huffy about my anti-establishment position here, i
will remind you that i *am* aware of the difficulties imposed upon those of
you who work in these institutions, of how the necessity of keeping a job
means not pointing out institutional deviations from your professional
ethics, how having some initials after your name causes you to not fully
embrace the ethics of the profession that has added some other initials after
your name, and varying attitudes of how "necessary" ABM is upon occasion, the
vacillation of parents who think ABM use is okay and may not be fully
committed to breastfeeding (so why would one bother to try to "educate" them
as to the risks when it is just easier to whip out a bottle anyway),and yes,
i remain true to various ideals that continue to merit some contempt in this
profession from certain quarters, so let me explain.

i am looking forward to a lawsuit concerning breastfeeding being harmed in
some way because, in our unfortunately litigation-happy american society, the
first lawsuit that is not thrown out of court will signal a certain
legitimacy about the breastfeeding relationship that makes it "worthy" of
legal consideration. just think, the first time someone tried to sue for
"loss of marital relations," what that must have sounded like. imagine the
jokes! well, it ain't funny anymore, it's recognized as a legitimate
grievance. and when there is a lawsuit seeking redress for loss of the bf
relationship, or injury or damage to the bf relationship, or injury or damage
to a child because of mistreatment, then it will signal a new level of
respect.

and on another lovely note, one of the local newspaper started following a
family expecting a "millenium baby," and the very first statement by the
mother was "i am stocking up on formula and diapers because i work for the
red cross and i know how important it is to be prepared." i think i am going
to start calling it the abm news.

carol brussel IBCLC

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