In a message dated 7/28/2002 4:04:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > <<A collegue has suggested I limit the amount of > pro-breastfeeding information I share at my prenatal group so as to not > give > mothers unrealistic expectations about breastfeeding. The point was that > mothers that cannot or choose not to breastfeed for one reason or another > may feel a great deal of guilt, leading to postpartum depression>> > > This comment reflects a poor understanding of PPD by your colleague. > Depression is a biochemical disorder which is often rooted in genetics, > childhood abuse, unresolved loss, or other trauma. Because lactation is a > normal biochemical conclusion to the childbearing cycle (i.e. provides the > proper hormonal milieu for early mothering), PPD is often made worse by > suppressing lactation prematurely (i.e. not breastfeeding at all or limited > breastfeeding ). Other posters have referenced this fact. > > While no one would argue that unkind comments or even painful truth makes > us feel badly, it does not "cause" depression. Further, we are more likely > to suffer from protracted negative feelings when we stumble onto some truth > when it's too late to have positively implemented it. Therefore I strongly > agree with other posts stating that it is our responsibility to educate so > that there is not regret about a decision later on. > > None of this isn't to say that a person struggling with depression might > not at some point try to anchor her suffering to a remark or an event. She > is as puzzled as anyone as to why she is feeling badly and is therefore > grasping at explanations. All the more reason for us to work with an > attitude of kindness and respect when we teach and provide consultations. > > For anyone interested in this topic, John Mann, MD gave a great > presentation at ILCA last week on this topic. I would recommend purchasing > his tape. > > For my part, I work with many depressed people, including some with PPD and > have yet to see it be "caused" by something that was said to them (except > possibly that they should quit therapy and "pull yourself together!") > > Nancy Williams, MA, IBCLC > Marriage and Family Therapist *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html