I have often thought that the sheer volume of 'how to be a good parent' type of stuff in the magazines is part of the problem for more well read mothers. They must feel that it takes a uni degree to birth, feed and nurture a baby when every magazine is saying 'x is wrong, try y' then the other says 'y is wrong, try a' then the next is saying ' b is the only way to achieve a happy healthy child'. No wonder they cannot relax and listen to their inner self. Our culture ignores the wisdom of our inner self.
Judy
From: "Sally Williams" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ozmidwifery List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Breast is best.
Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2002 12:10:56 +1000 (AUS Eastern Standard Time)
I agree with you Elizabeth. Working on a ward where we have alot of young
women through our young women's clinic. Very rarely they have issues with
feeding, they just seem to get on with it, whereas the older women seem to
have major problems with attachment and supply. Mind you, many babes start
off on the wrong foot with left over drugs from their birth, especially
those born by LUSCS, they just don't seem to even know how to suck, it is
very frustrating.
Out of the 100+ women I atttended at home only one had significant problems
needing long term assistance. Another very good reason to fight to maintain
real choices for women!
Regards
Sally
-------Original Message-------
From: elizabeth mcalpine
Date: Sunday, 02 June 2002 11:57:47 AM
To: ozmidwifery
Re: Melbourne's child letter 'Breast is still best'
My daughter took issue with the writer's comment on the midwife 'assisting
younger, more inexperienced mothers'.
As an 18yr old, and the baby newly born, I described what to do without
touching; she listened, and breast fed for 14 months - no dummies, no
bottles. I find that young mothers have little or no difficulty at all - it
seems to me that it is the older, more 'educated' mother who has problems.
In fact, its a reflection on our society and our health system that Western
women experience problems. Why is this??
Having worked with Indonesian women; a multicultural population of women in
the Middle East and Aboriginal women - I never saw the problems with BF that
I see in the West. Those women just get on and do it, naturally. Many of
the Middle Eastern women don't wish to feed immediately, and many are
uninterested until the milk comes in. Many don't express, they rest.
When the milk comes in, they feed thereafter for about 2 years. They bond
well with their children and usually have many. It is not unusual to
observe women with their faces veiled, the breast exposed and the baby
suckling contendedly. Women returning to the workforce have government
instigated breast feeding breaks in their work-day for about 12 months.
The 'baby friendly initiative' I believe, was aimed at developing countries
whose children were dying of diarrhoeal disease through contaminated water,
incorrect formula and lack of hygiene. It has been taken up with such
vehemence in the West, a crusade if you will, with extraordinary focus on
technique. No wonder mothers and many midwives find it daunting. One
woman asked me once 'What about mother-friendly?'
Personally, I'd like to see mothers returned to their homes as soon as
possible after birth in hospital (given that there's no option to be at home
where they belong to birth their babies), have support from ABA, have
support from a community of workers who will cook, clean and look after any
other children (particularly if there is no extended family) and allow 40
days of peace and quiet, relaxation, and with the mother and baby doing what
other mammals do with little interference.
The crux of the matter, I believe, is our health system, which purports to
empower people to take responsibility for their own health but in fact, does
the opposite. If we, as midwives and lactation consultants, are forever
explaining, checking position and suckling, and the other numerous, onerous
tasks and rituals that comprise breast feeding in our world, what message
does this send to new mothers? I'll tell you; the mother is inadequate, at
fault or to blame.
However, this is not true. No, the mother is a victim as surely as we, the
female health professionals who have subordinated womanhood to our health
system and the medical hegemony.
Liz McAlpine
