harvard med student engorged and enraged
This is a bad week for breastfeeding. I just read that a judge has rejected a Harvard student and breastfeeding mother's request to be given a pumping break during her nine hour medical licensing exam. (A medical exam no less!) The AOL report I read includes a poll and at the moment the majority of readers are agreeing with the judge. So sad. This + Bill Maher = serious disconnect between much of the country and the reality of breastfeeding mothers. I think even those who consider themselves supportive of breastfeeding really DO NOT understand what it takes. And the only way they will is to institute some kind of basic national education campaign that doesn't JUST talk about the benefits of breastfeeding but literally explains how milk supply and demand works. It's sort of pathetic to have to get to this. But I can't see any way around it.
How about this: From now on ALL HIGHSCHOOL STUDENTS are taught how breastfeeding works in either sex education or ninth grade biology. Take your pick. But make it mandatory. It's too exhausting for us to have a debate with a public that just doesn't know the facts.
in breastfeeding | the balancing act
comments
That is absurd. I just don't understand the mixed messages moms are given these days. We're made to feel terrible if we can't or don't breastfeed, then if we do, we get dirty looks, kicked off planes, etc. People really don't get it.
comment by Mom2Miles at September 21, 2007 1:30 PM
The way I read the story was that she WAS given a break, a 45 minute one, for pumping, but she wanted extra time.
I'm a breastfeeding mom of 4 and a former LLL leader, and I don't think she should be given extra time. If you read more about her, she sounds like someone who always wants to be given an exception. She already has gotten extra time because she has adult ADD.
What?!
comment by Carrie at September 21, 2007 3:35 PM
you're absolutely right. one stretch of pumping only every 4/5 hours shouldn't be an issue. too bad this woman sounds like a bit of a nut. i still stand by my high school education concept!
comment by ceridwen at September 21, 2007 4:22 PM
