Lynette (was Re: Breastfeeding question /)

[Guest guest]

Lynette,

Well said on all accounts.

Isn't it maddening how undereducated the medical profession (especially doctors

who are supposedly trained in dealing with womens issues!)are about

breastfeeding. My suspicion is that the majority of what doctors are reading in

the form of published studies and infant feeding literature was funded by

formula companies. Take a look at the backs of most of the pamphlets you

receive from your pediatrician...who is publishing? Nestle, Similac, Enfamil,

etc... They also pay doctors for the privilege of providing patients with free

samples. They hope that the average woman, when frustrated with nursing (as we

all can be initially) will just grab that freebie and thus begin the

supplementation which as you said is a great way to undermine nursing

altogether. When I get those samples I donate them immediately to a food bank

or shelter.

And yeah, my doctor kind of rolled his eyes at me funny when he learned I was

nursing past the ripe old age of 12 mos LOL.

F.

(who nursed Charli the milkmonster up until 3 weeks before her 2nd birthday, and

only weaned because I was having the RNY)

Unfortunately, many of the doctors I have met weren't as supportive

of breast feeding as they should be. When I told my former

pediatrician how long I planned to nurse he asked me if I was insane.

I hope the medical profession starts training doctors better with

regard to breast feeding. They often tell new mothers to supplement

with formula which is an excellent way to undermine breast feeding. I

don't know what their motivation is. I don't know if they get kick-

backs from formula makers or what. Kind of makes you wonder how

mankind survived so many years before formula, lol. Just trust your

body and know that nature made you perfectly able to nourish your

infant without supplementation 99.9% of the time and without guilt

100% of the time.

Sincerely,

Lynette in Arizona