Getting the Message Out

"Emily Roysdon" wrote in message
.. .
newfy wrote:

I've been thinking about this all day. As an expecting parent, I
believed
that it was my responsibility to educate myself. Obviously, not everyone
does. Does anyone else out there think that there should be some
organization responsible for at least *trying* to educate pregnant
women?
IMO, I really think the easiest way to do it is to counsel expecting
moms
through the OB/GYN's during prenatal visits (I'm assuming most midwives
already do that to some extent?) I remember with Matthew, my OB asked
me,
"Are you planning on breastfeeding?" I said, "Yes" and she just nodded
and
said, "Good". No discussion, not even handouts. I know that most
hospitals
offer bf classes, but obviously that isn't working. What do other people
here think?

I think it should be the OBs/midwives and pediatricians who promote it
most heavily, with no formula sample packs that run contrary to their
"breast is best" line. No platitudes, just an expectation that *every*
mother will nurse her baby, and some realistic guidelines about what
that will entail. Letting moms know that it's not easy at first, and
where to seek help; let them know the long-term benefits that are every
baby's birthright.

I agree. I don't even recall my Dr. asking me if I was breastfeeding or not.
I do know he is pro breastfeeding as when he came to see me a couple of days
after DD birth I asked him if I should supplement (DD would not latch and I
was only able to pump 10 mL at a time) and he said it was ultimately up to
me but he wouldn't recommend it. I feel that all Dr's that deal with
pregnancy and babies should become certified lactation consultants.

I also think every can of "free" formula should come
with a disclosure form about the risks, or maybe bright orange stickers
on the can. I've even fantasized about Surgeon General's warning labels
like those in the US on cigarettes, letting people know exactly what the
risks are in using each can of formula, but we're so afraid of offending
anyone, that will never happen.

I don't really agree with this, only because it would make those people who
really can't BF (women who have adopted and aren't able to lactate, women
with certain illnesses, women who are unable to BFAR) feel completely awful.
I do think there should be more done to make women aware of the risks of
formula. I think every women who is pregnant should read Dr. Jack Newman's
guide to breastfeeding.

I'm always amazed by the number of people who read and prepare in every
way they can about the *birth* but then have no clue what to do with an
actual baby. And this may be flame-bait, but in a culture where you can
scehdule a pain-free birth at the exact time and place you want it, many
women don't have the patience or fortitude to do anything that requires
any work or commitment on the part of themselves, like breastfeeding.
Babies carried around in buckets all day, scheduled feedings from birth,
fear of spoiling a newborn by holding her too much...we're afraid to
touch our babies, let alone nurse them. As long as formula continues to
be the easy, ever-present way out, in a fast-food, non-attached culture
with common folks not knowing or talking about the risks of withholding
breastmilk from babies, nothing will change.

Sorry if this seems slightly rambling, but I'm feeling a little
distressed
over the state of breastfeeding today.

I totally understand. So many well-educated people I know are refusing
to nurse their babies at all. They claim to have "done all the
research" yet decide not to. I don't understand how it's even a choice
you can make before the baby is born, and to give up at 3 days?! I just
don't get it...

I went through hell to get my DD latched and once she did I had all sorts of
problems. BF didn't get easy until she was 2 months old. I never once
considered resorting to formula. Had she not latched I would have pumped for
at least a year. Having gone through what I went through I get why some
women give up. It is a very hard thing to go through if you are not
absolutely determined to do it and don't have support. I plan to help women
become more educated. I am daking a doula trianing course this fall and will
then become a certified lactation consultant. I hope I can make a difference
to someone.

Nadene

Who is responsible and why is it so darned difficult!

I'm feeling pretty frustrated today because I just found out that our cousin
just quit bf her baby because her "milk didn't come in"...AFTER THREE
DAYS!!!!! ARGH! I gently explained that it is extremely normal and explained
that mine didn't come in for five. She had no idea that it took a few days
for it to come in. In fact, when discussing this with her, she really didn't
know anything about bf. This, coming from a woman who told me she planned to
bf her entire pregnancy. She is a very smart, well educated woman, I was
shocked that she hadn't done her own research on the subject.

I've been thinking about this all day. As an expecting parent, I believed
that it was my responsibility to educate myself. Obviously, not everyone
does. Does anyone else out there think that there should be some
organization responsible for at least *trying* to educate pregnant women?
IMO, I really think the easiest way to do it is to counsel expecting moms
through the OB/GYN's during prenatal visits (I'm assuming most midwives
already do that to some extent?) I remember with Matthew, my OB asked me,
"Are you planning on breastfeeding?" I said, "Yes" and she just nodded and
said, "Good". No discussion, not even handouts. I know that most hospitals
offer bf classes, but obviously that isn't working. What do other people
here think?

Sorry if this seems slightly rambling, but I'm feeling a little distressed
over the state of breastfeeding today.
--
JennP.
mom to matthew 10/11/00
EDD 4/4/04

"newfy" wrote in message ...
Who is responsible and why is it so darned difficult!

I'm feeling pretty frustrated today because I just found out that our cousin
just quit bf her baby because her "milk didn't come in"...AFTER THREE
DAYS!!!!! ARGH! I gently explained that it is extremely normal and explained
that mine didn't come in for five. She had no idea that it took a few days
for it to come in. In fact, when discussing this with her, she really didn't
know anything about bf. This, coming from a woman who told me she planned to
bf her entire pregnancy. She is a very smart, well educated woman, I was
shocked that she hadn't done her own research on the subject.

I've been thinking about this all day. As an expecting parent, I believed
that it was my responsibility to educate myself. Obviously, not everyone
does. Does anyone else out there think that there should be some
organization responsible for at least *trying* to educate pregnant women?



NO!!!! WHAT would they SAY when "they" are educating "us?"
Organization is not the answer. Hell, they may tell us that formula is
"just as good" and that epidurals carry no risk and, oh i don't know,
children should be seen and not heard. The other one that gets me is
the parents should be licensed idea. Who would administer THAT
licensing program and determine the qualifications? It makes me
shudder to think.


IMO, I really think the easiest way to do it is to counsel expecting moms
through the OB/GYN's during prenatal visits (I'm assuming most midwives
already do that to some extent?) I remember with Matthew, my OB asked me,
"Are you planning on breastfeeding?" I said, "Yes" and she just nodded and
said, "Good". No discussion, not even handouts. I know that most hospitals
offer bf classes, but obviously that isn't working. What do other people
here think?



I think it IS the responsibility of the parents, not the ob or some
other organization. And the unfortunate truth with all of us with our
various responsibilities, it is us and ours who suffer the
consequences of our screwing up on one of our responsibilities.
Hopefully, she did not screw up her responsibility to install her car
seat properly (or whatever other parental responsibility you can think
of).


Sorry if this seems slightly rambling, but I'm feeling a little distressed
over the state of breastfeeding today.

"newfy" wrote
I'm feeling pretty frustrated today because I just found out that our
cousin
just quit bf her baby because her "milk didn't come in"...AFTER THREE
DAYS!!!!! ARGH! I gently explained that it is extremely normal and
explained
that mine didn't come in for five. She had no idea that it took a few days
for it to come in. In fact, when discussing this with her, she really
didn't
know anything about bf. This, coming from a woman who told me she planned
to
bf her entire pregnancy. She is a very smart, well educated woman, I was
shocked that she hadn't done her own research on the subject.

How sad that she didn't do any research. However, I know quite a few women
who spent most of their pregnancy researching birth (or researching
decorating and house safety) and didn't do anything about bf'ing since it
was 'natural'.

IMO, I really think the easiest way to do it is to counsel expecting moms
through the OB/GYN's during prenatal visits (I'm assuming most midwives
already do that to some extent?) I remember with Matthew, my OB asked me,
"Are you planning on breastfeeding?" I said, "Yes" and she just nodded and
said, "Good".

Now that I think about it, I don't think the midwives even asked me if I was
planning to bf. I know the hospital said they were very pro-bf, but they
don't even have LC's on staff and each nurse had different information about
how to get a good latch. Fortunately, at about six months I lost interest in
learning about being pregnant and started learning about delivery and what
to do with a baby. With three bf'ing books, I thought I was prepared. I
wasn't, but at least I had references to use. As well, my doula was an LC so
she was available by phone for my problems and to give me support when I
needed it. Mum was great, but hadn't had any problems bf'ing either me or my
brother, so she didn't know what to do to correct a bad latch or recognize
mastitis.

I wish there was some way of making formula seem like less of an option so
that more women who could bf would give it a good try but that those who
can't (physically or going back to work with bad pumping possibilities)
didn't feel guilty.
--
Melissa (in Los Angeles)
Mum to Elizabeth 4/13/03

"Belphoebe" wrote in message
...

So, yeah, it seems to me that OB's should be better educated and
more
proactive about bf.

Belphoebe



Frankly I kind of like the idea of the *old country doctor* who
delivers you when you're born and takes care of you until he retires
for everything from a sprained ankle to delivering your own kids.
While I can appreciate that specialists are just that and they do
specific things for you it just seems sad to me that even the doctor
that delivers your babies unless you actively seek other options out
won't bother to get to know you or anything about you besides the
specific body part they went to school for. Alot of the time they have
to look at your chart to even remember your name.
As much as I loved my midwife when I was pregnant and in her care, she
still was there for really only one thing and wouldn't be able to care
for me if I needed other services. The family doctors of today won't
go beyond a quick check up most of the time, and if you need something
specific will send you on your way to a specialist ;(
Life is too complicated anymore I suppose ;(

Jen

I was fortunate that I had all 3 of my children at Arnold Palmer
Hospital for Women and Children. They have a very good approach to it.
When you deliver, as soon as they are able to hand you the baby they
give it to you and tell you to try to get him/her to latch on. They
have lactation consultants available at the time of birth and on.
There is a closed circuit TV channel with tons of info about bf and
more with a schedule at your bedside. They also have bf classes
available and when they send you home they give you all kinds of
printed info and phone #'s for their on staff lc's. I am currently
breast feeding my 3rd child. My son who is almost 3 has NEVER been
sick! I attribute that to bf.
Joy
===
(Irene) wrote in message . com...
"newfy" wrote in message ...
Who is responsible and why is it so darned difficult!

I'm feeling pretty frustrated today because I just found out that our cousin
just quit bf her baby because her "milk didn't come in"...AFTER THREE
DAYS!!!!! ARGH! I gently explained that it is extremely normal and explained
that mine didn't come in for five. She had no idea that it took a few days
for it to come in. In fact, when discussing this with her, she really didn't
know anything about bf. This, coming from a woman who told me she planned to
bf her entire pregnancy. She is a very smart, well educated woman, I was
shocked that she hadn't done her own research on the subject.

I've been thinking about this all day. As an expecting parent, I believed
that it was my responsibility to educate myself. Obviously, not everyone
does. Does anyone else out there think that there should be some
organization responsible for at least *trying* to educate pregnant women?
IMO, I really think the easiest way to do it is to counsel expecting moms
through the OB/GYN's during prenatal visits (I'm assuming most midwives
already do that to some extent?) I remember with Matthew, my OB asked me,
"Are you planning on breastfeeding?" I said, "Yes" and she just nodded and
said, "Good". No discussion, not even handouts. I know that most hospitals
offer bf classes, but obviously that isn't working. What do other people
here think?

Well, I think one of the underlying problems is simply that the
medical schools teach very little about breastfeeding, so the OB's
often really don't know. They most likely know that "breast is best,"
but unless they actually go out and do research on their own, or have
children of their own and first-hand experience, they don't have very
good information to help their patients with. (And the first-hand
experience can be as much of a hindrance as a help, if they generalize
from their own experience to all people.) If the medical schools
would at least educate medical students in a little more depth about
bf and the importance of educating pregnant women, that might help.
Maybe.

Another problem - a lot of hospitals *don't* have bf classes. My SIL
had her babies at a big Chicago hospital that supposedly is one of the
best hospitals around. I had my baby at a small suburban hospital.
She was utterly amazed that I got a bf class, and all she got was the
nurse (not a IBCLC) trying to tell her what to do after the baby was
born. She talked all during her first pregnancy about how she was
going to bf, but had major supply issues and combi-fed for about 3
months, then gave up and switched to formula. This was before I was
even pg, so I had no help for her.

Irene

The family doctors of today won't
go beyond a quick check up most of the time, and if you need something
specific will send you on your way to a specialist ;(
Life is too complicated anymore I suppose ;(

Not life; medicine. There are just way too many drugs/tests/procedures anymore
for a 'family doctor' to be able to keep track of them. When I read on the
newsgroups about people who see FPs for themselves and/or their kids, I usually
note that the docs seem to be more poorly educated than is the norm about many
aspects of care. (Like, about bfing, for example...)


Naomi
CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator

(either remove spamblock or change address to to e-mail
reply.)

I was fortunate that I had all 3 of my children at Arnold Palmer
Hospital for Women and Children.

Our local hospital has bfing classes available, and several LCs on staff
(available 7 days a week) who visit and work with all nursing mothers. All the
OB practices in town offer bfing classes. We have several La Leche League
chapters.

Still, according to the head LC at the hospital, while bfing initiation rates
are a little above the national average (around 70%) continuation rates are
still pretty low.
We're still, unfortunatley, fighting a society that says that formula is really
just as good, and if you don't want to bf, or have problems, you should feel
free to formula-feed.


Naomi
CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator

(either remove spamblock or change address to to e-mail
reply.)

OSPAM wrote:

When I read on the
newsgroups about people who see FPs for themselves and/or their kids, I
usually
note that the docs seem to be more poorly educated than is the norm about
many
aspects of care. (Like, about bfing, for example...)


Not my doctor! Certainly not about breastfeeding, anyway (I'll admit he missed
my son's metal allergy, but the dermatologist didn't catch it, either).

--Helen

I didn't get anyone trying to help make sure I nursed either. The hospital
pushed me to supplement right from the start. My ex-OB didn't care much
either. They never even asked. Enfamil formula did give me a book on
breastfeeding. They are the one formula companies that promote bf. On there
web site they have info on bf plus the book they sent me that has some good
info. It also talks about bf first then formula feeding if you can't bf. I
also signed up with the newsletter and it send me bf info. I get free
formula and coupons too but I just save some in case I ever really need it
and I donate the rest to my church.
Kris
"newfy" wrote in message
...
Who is responsible and why is it so darned difficult!

I'm feeling pretty frustrated today because I just found out that our
cousin
just quit bf her baby because her "milk didn't come in"...AFTER THREE
DAYS!!!!! ARGH! I gently explained that it is extremely normal and
explained
that mine didn't come in for five. She had no idea that it took a few days
for it to come in. In fact, when discussing this with her, she really
didn't
know anything about bf. This, coming from a woman who told me she planned
to
bf her entire pregnancy. She is a very smart, well educated woman, I was
shocked that she hadn't done her own research on the subject.

I've been thinking about this all day. As an expecting parent, I believed
that it was my responsibility to educate myself. Obviously, not everyone
does. Does anyone else out there think that there should be some
organization responsible for at least *trying* to educate pregnant women?
IMO, I really think the easiest way to do it is to counsel expecting moms
through the OB/GYN's during prenatal visits (I'm assuming most midwives
already do that to some extent?) I remember with Matthew, my OB asked me,
"Are you planning on breastfeeding?" I said, "Yes" and she just nodded and
said, "Good". No discussion, not even handouts. I know that most
hospitals
offer bf classes, but obviously that isn't working. What do other people
here think?

Sorry if this seems slightly rambling, but I'm feeling a little distressed
over the state of breastfeeding today.
--
JennP.
mom to matthew 10/11/00
EDD 4/4/04