>
> Remember, that the answer to this question depends on how much maternity
> leave a mother gets.  If, as in Canada, she gets 6 months maternity
> leave, the answer to "when to introduce a bottle" is *never*.
>
Dear Dr. Newman,
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice..."
I tried again and again to convince various day care providers that my
5-month old (remember that pregnancy leave also includes a prenatal
period) could use a cup, but to no avail. I showed pictures of preemies,
I showed them how I did it... No way. The closest I got was to be told to
buy the no-spill cup, that had just gotten on the market, but I could not
find it !
Luckily, my son had a great time playing with the bottle nipple with his
tongue, and would politely take some of EBM (i.e. "my milk") to make his
day care provider less worried, but he knew where the real milk came from
and patiently waited for me at the end of the day.
Maybe things are different now. That was three years ago. (and still
breastfeeding).

Louise Denhez, M.D., M.P.H
Chargee d'enseignement clinique
Departement de medecine sociale et preventive
Universite de Montreal, Quebec.