What would you do?

[savienu]

There's a new girl in my office who is about 24 weeks pregnant or so (she's due January 18th, I'm not that good with math in my head! ) We got to talking and I found out she *is* planning on breastfeeding, and that she doesn't know the gender of her babe. I'm wondering how to bring up the circumcision issue (and if I should at all, in a work environment.) I told her to try and take CB classes with the foreskin-friendly CB educator I know who is also the LC, but I don't know if she can definitely take them with her. Any ideas how to bring up circ? I thought about saying, "Well, circing can interfere with nursing..." but I didn't know how to implement it into the conversation.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

How about this. "Since you are planning to bfed I wanted to share with you some things that can interfere with a good bfing relationship. Make sure no one gives your baby a bottle in the nursery or a paci both these can cause nipple confusiong (explain here to either finger or syring feed etc)" Then say 'and if you have a boy if you get him circed there is a high probability that the pain and trauma will interfer as well. This is one of the many reasons I will never have a boy circed" (or if you already have a intact son tell her that)

Then go on with more reason why you wouldnt/didnt do it. No longer recommended, painful, messes with the rights of the child to reach his full potential, human rights violation etc.

HTH

[savienu]

Thanks, that definitely does help. I just hope that we get into talking about breastfeeding again. Oh, and yep, I have a 7 month old intact little boy.

[nd_deadhead]

I think I would be more direct. As a new Mommy yourself (congratulations!) you have a lot in common. You can start a conversation saying something like "I thought I was pretty smart before I got pregnant, but there is SO much I didn't know! I read everything I could get my hands on, and was surprised at every turn! One of the things that really shocked me was what I learned about circumcision. There was no way I could do that to my precious baby!"

This opens the door, and you can see how she reacts. If she starts tossing out all the tired old myths, you can say "I used to think the same thing, until I really started to look into it." Then you can correct whatever misinformation she has.

If she gets her hackles up right away, back off (especially since she is new in the office). But if she seems open, ask her if you can e-mail her some information. I like this site best for starters:
http://www.circumstitions.com/Itsaboy.html

Then tell her you would be happy to answer any questions she might have.

[Quirky]

I agree, be direct. There's no need to be embarrassed or ashamed -- the embarrassment is how many parents in this country have no idea what circ is and the doctors don't both to tell them! I would try something along the lines of "here's some information I came across when I was pregnant, I was shocked to learn about what circumcision really does to a boy, it's unnecessary and harmful for life." Then give a brochure (not just a link, she might not click it and read it).

I really like the first brochure on the brochure page at www.coloradonocirc.org -- can't link directly, but it's printer-friendly and covers all the bases succinctly.

[phdmama06]

Originally Posted by Quirky

I agree, be direct. There's no need to be embarrassed or ashamed -- the embarrassment is how many parents in this country have no idea what circ is and the doctors don't both to tell them! I would try something along the lines of "here's some information I came across when I was pregnant, I was shocked to learn about what circumcision really does to a boy, it's unnecessary and harmful for life." Then give a brochure (not just a link, she might not click it and read it).

: I agree, be direct and don't beat around the bush. I think it is important to offer basic information about circumcision up front, then if she is interested, you can add in your personal perspective on it (like how you came to your opinion on it) or talk about how it impacts breastfeeding. Good luck!!