Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] HOT topic of breastfeeding
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In a message dated 4/6/00 9:47:53 AM Central Daylight Time, carli@...
writes:
<< I am currently in the process of becoming
a La Leche League leader. My attitude towards breastfeeding has changed
and grown considerably over the last few years. While I am more aware than
ever why breastfeeding is so important I have become less judgemental.
While I use to say to my daughter whenever we saw a bottle feeding baby,
"poor baby has to drink from a bottle and can't have mommy's milk," I am
more aware of people having circumstances that I know nothing about. >>
Carli,
Thanks for your post. I think you've hit upon the essence of the matter.
Yes, human milk is best for human babies. It can not be duplicated.
However, everyone's circumstances are different and for some people it is not
the best option. And you're right - those circumstances are not something
that others can know anything about by observation. They are deeply
personal. For some women, like me, it may be impossible to breastfeed. Not
all geographical locations have milk banks upon which to draw. Some women
may not be comfortable with using milk from a milk bank. Some women may be
physically capable of producing milk but it may not be best for Mom or Baby
to use that ability; e.g. Mom is taking necessary meds that would be harmful
to baby, or Mom has a different problem that makes nursing unsafe for her.
There could be other circumstances as well, as Buzz pointed out in her
thoughtful post.
Thanks for the spirit of your post and I think it's great that you're
becoming a LLL leader. (BTW, I'm glad you don't point and say "poor baby"
anymore. If anyone pointed at my Josie and said that I would be deeply
offended and also somewhat amused - she's definitely a happy, thriving girl
that doesn't fit the "poor baby" bill! ) Your post has helped me feel less
animosity towards what I used to call the Lactation Police. A shift in
thinking is almost always a difficult, but productive thing. I'm glad to be
able to broaden my viewpoint.
*** KiM ***
runs with scissors
writes:
<< I am currently in the process of becoming
a La Leche League leader. My attitude towards breastfeeding has changed
and grown considerably over the last few years. While I am more aware than
ever why breastfeeding is so important I have become less judgemental.
While I use to say to my daughter whenever we saw a bottle feeding baby,
"poor baby has to drink from a bottle and can't have mommy's milk," I am
more aware of people having circumstances that I know nothing about. >>
Carli,
Thanks for your post. I think you've hit upon the essence of the matter.
Yes, human milk is best for human babies. It can not be duplicated.
However, everyone's circumstances are different and for some people it is not
the best option. And you're right - those circumstances are not something
that others can know anything about by observation. They are deeply
personal. For some women, like me, it may be impossible to breastfeed. Not
all geographical locations have milk banks upon which to draw. Some women
may not be comfortable with using milk from a milk bank. Some women may be
physically capable of producing milk but it may not be best for Mom or Baby
to use that ability; e.g. Mom is taking necessary meds that would be harmful
to baby, or Mom has a different problem that makes nursing unsafe for her.
There could be other circumstances as well, as Buzz pointed out in her
thoughtful post.
Thanks for the spirit of your post and I think it's great that you're
becoming a LLL leader. (BTW, I'm glad you don't point and say "poor baby"
anymore. If anyone pointed at my Josie and said that I would be deeply
offended and also somewhat amused - she's definitely a happy, thriving girl
that doesn't fit the "poor baby" bill! ) Your post has helped me feel less
animosity towards what I used to call the Lactation Police. A shift in
thinking is almost always a difficult, but productive thing. I'm glad to be
able to broaden my viewpoint.
*** KiM ***
runs with scissors