MandieDandie, if you read the entire thread a bit more closely, you'll see how I was referring to my own feelings about ABF. I wasn't making any concrete statements from a strictly physiology-oriented view on the different methods of inducing lactation. I was just saying that I felt uneasy. And I never said that all induced lactation was "unnatural". I was referring to artificially induced lactation, using herbs and/or medications.
You're indeed lucky that you're able to lactate via physical stimulation only. Most women need some sort of extra push.
I am a bit confused by your reaction to my posts. Nowhere did I ever come close to saying that I thought ABF is wrong. I was merely being honest with some of my own emotions and thoughts. If anything, I was encouraging potential amoms to discuss this important issue with emoms. A lot of women are totally unaware that adoptive breastfeeding is even possible, even though it's been going on for many years. I think that emoms may be less reluctant about ABF if they knew more about it. Education goes a long way, and open communication between the two mothers goes even further.
Daisy, thank you so much for the kind words and coming to my defense. You've made an important point about opposing opinions not equaling judgments. A lot of people who post on Internet forums and message boards are too easily offended when someone else disagrees with their point of view, IMHO. A difference of opinion doesn't equal flaming or attacking, as long as mutual respect is upheld. It always bothers me a lot when someone feels that I'm insulting them, simply because I have different feelings or thoughts on an issue.
You're right... I would never want anyone on these boards to feel badly about having their own opinions or feelings. We all have the right to express ourselves here, as long as it's done in a respectful manner. We are all individuals, with our own emotions, experiences, opinions, perspectives, advice. Just because I may have a different viewpoint doesn't mean that I think someone else is wrong for having another point of view. Actually, I've learned the most in the threads that do have a lot of differing viewpoints. And I've even been known to change my mind, lol.
