While I definitely agree with your post, I have to say that the headline, saying that Breastfeeding may starve your baby, is sensationalist and simply untrue. It can easily be misconstrued, and may be taken litterally. However, Breastfeeding does not starve babies, it is when mothers AREN'T breastfeeding (properly, or for whatever reason) that babies are starved.
The fact is, the author wasn't breast feeding... she was TRYING to breast feed. It is a very important distinction. We can' t have new mothers thinking that even if they CAN breast feed, and their breast feeding is going well, it still may be starving their baby. Breast milk is best for babies. If they get the right amout of it, then they won't starve. Breast feeding doesn't starve babies if it is actually DONE and done PROPERLY. Jo ----- Original Message ----- From: "barbara glare & chris bright" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Ozmidwifery" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2002 4:31 AM Subject: Melbourne's Child > Hi, > > For your interest, here's my response to the Melbourne's child article on > breastfeeding, on behalf of the Australian Breastfeeding Association > > I heard about the article"Warning: Breastfeeding may starve your baby" > before I saw it. Oh, no I thought. Another sensationalist head line and > inflammatory attack on breastfeeding, something I hope we've moved beyond in > Australian society. > > When I read the article, however, what I heard was the heart-felt story of a > mother who had courageously persevered with breastfeeding problems,sought > expert help and information, but for the sake of herself and her baby, had > ultimately decided to bottlefeed her baby. > > When a mother doesn't breastfeed often she is faced with one of two > comments. Either "Breastfeeding doesn't matter" or "you should have(could > have) tried harder." Both of these responses devalue the mother's feelings > and the efforts women have gone through to breastfeed. > > Breastfeeding does matter. The health and emotional benefits are well > documented. It's something that women want to do. That's why it so often > arouses such strong feelings. Many grieve when they are not able to > breastfeed. Women far beyond their childbearing age, many of them > grand-parents or great grandparents, carry around their breastfeeding > stories all their life. Sadness that it did not work out, joy and pride > that they breastfed their babies. > > > Jenny Evans did everything she could to breastfeed her child. Ultimately, > it didn't work for her. While most mothers can and do breastfeed, > especially with the correct information and support. Breastfeeding > counsellors who work with breastfeeding mothers every day bear witness to > the fact that, for many mothers breastfeeding is a hard journey, and some > are ultimately not successful. There is much, much more we need to find out > about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding knowledge and support has come along > way, but mothers still have to experience inconsistent information and > advice from everyone from many sources. > > When should a mother stop breastfeeding? Well, that's a question only a > mother can answer. For every story like Jenny's I hear another story of a > woman who regrets accepting advice to stop breastfeeding when she felt she > could have persevered, or found out later other options were available. But > every mother makes her decision on what is the best thing for herself, her > baby and her family. And she deserves respect and support for her decision. > > Jenny Evans' story flags the failings in our system and the need for > stronger networks, more support and more research into breastfeeding. And > the need to hear women's stories about breastfeeding and give them the > respect that they deserve. > > Barbara Glare > Australian Breastfeeding Association > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
