Replies to '10/07 The Latest Debates'

I just couldn't resist one last post. I just want to answer some of the people who replied to me. 

My username "badtrip" was originally intended to be used on a different board on Dr. Phil. I continued using it on here. It's more a satire for the topic I originally signed up to discuss. If you are interested you can search for my posts and read the ones pertaining to the prescription drugs show controversy over psychiatric drugs. 

I maintain that I was not intending to offend anyone, I admit I might have gotten a little too defensive. But breastfeeding is a passionate topic for me. After the reading I have done on the subject I feel strongly that it is the best feeding choice a mom can make. I don't feel like I am superior or better or smarter than people on this board. I do feel that in some cases I have the research to back me up and a knowledge of the law, which others may not. I have never taken a formal IQ test and I don't think that matters anyway, someone suggested I thought I was smarter than everyone else. It's not a smarty pants contest. So if I offended you or hurt your feelings I apologize. I feel like people are lashing out on this board. And in some cases I gave them a taste of their own medicine. Maybe I should have been more dignified like I think Synnorra was on the show. 

I personally wish everyone were educated fully on breastfeeding, this means not only on the reasons to do it but the cultural background that explains our downward spin into a nation of bottle feeders. There is a book out there called At The Breast by Linda M. Blum which addresses three cultural traditional sets of attitudes in the US about nursing vs. formula or expressed breast milk feeding, and the evolution of formula feeding in the 20th century (it used to be that all babies nursed, whether with a wetnurse or a mommy). In particular, the upper class white women, the working class, and black women. Perhaps Blum would make a good guest on Dr. Phil sometime soon. 

Most importantly, I want women out there who are reading this who are deciding whether to nurse or bottle feed to know that if you encounter problems (And you probably will, in the beginning at least, if you BF) please contact the La Leche League or see an IBCLC or your pediatrician. Don't give up. Your problems are usually solvable, and there are women out there who want to help you. I think women should spend some time trying to learn the ins and outs of nursing when you are pregnant so you can be prepared. La Leche League meetings are great for pregnant moms making the choice to BF who are currently unprepared, or even for experienced moms who may have failed or not persisted in BFing as long as they had wished. Many times a La Leche League meeting, leader, or another nursing mom can provide you with crucial information or problem solving you might not get from some doctors. 

And for the moms on here who are struggling with NIP, I want to say good luck and please consider your legal rights and don't feel bad for just doing what is good for your baby. I was very excited when I read one post of a mom who says after reading this board she will no longer feed her baby in the bathroom. I was beginning to think no good was going to come from this anger-filled discussion. 

I apologize if I hurt anyone else's feelings, especially the lady who said I was mean to her and she was a failed breastfeeder. Maybe I misinterpreted her initial post and perhaps I was too sarcastic with my reply. 

I'll probably not be back to post again because this is just getting to the point where people are mad at me and it feels somewhat unproductive. amyphilo@yahoo.com