Each Situation is Unique
by Barbara Dehn - 31st January 2008
Just this week I met with a young woman who is expecting her first baby. She brought her mom to her visit and we all enjoyed listening to the baby’s heartbeat. We talked about the upcoming Labor and Delivery experience and when to go to the hospital. We discussed the classes that are available to them including my recommendation that she go to the breastfeeding class that’s offered. “No Thanks,” she said. And she was not at all interested in the class, despite her mom’s urging and my prodding. It was, to say the least, surprising and I had to wonder what the underlying issues really were.
Despite my recommendations, and her own family’s recommendations, here’s a person who, for whatever reason, is not interested in breastfeeding. And, in this country, it’s still okay, for her to make up her own mind and do what she wants, whether I agree with her, or her mom agrees or whether anyone agrees, for that matter. It’s still her baby and her choice, after all she’ll be responsible for this child and this baby, and we can only make recommendations.
This situation really stopped me in my tracks, because it reminds me that each person brings to each situation, their own unique history, feelings and thoughts about what is right for them. Is everyone going to take the recommended path? Of course, not. And, is this young woman right or wrong? Really, who can say? And, what’s the best thing to do in this situation? Lay on the guilt? Bombard with education? Hmmmm? Just asking.
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