I agree that mothers are often scared or misinformed by well-meaning educators.

I've previously worked in pediatric cardiology, where my role included having consultations with mothers of infants with congenital heart defects. It was frustrating to encounter women who were determined to breastfeed their babies even when this wasn't the best option for the child. At times, babies with congenital heart defects are tachypnic and tachycardic and therefore easily tired by feeding. Using a bottle and sometimes a preemie nipple require less effort on the child's part for nourishment. I recall several mothers who refused to use formula or to pump their breast milk for bottle feeding, because they were convinced breastfeeding was required for "bonding."

Barbara Bozeman, RN

Huntsville, AL