While doing some thesis research at the local college library this morning,
I happened upon a magazine called "The Humanist".  I've never heard of it
before and have no idea about it at all but cover caught my eye.  The
headline was "Nurturing a Healthier Society: Giving our kids the right start
in life" and the cover photo is a large toddler head latched on to a exposed
breast.  The first page of the text has another picture of a young toddler
nursing.

The author is Betty McCollister who is identified as a freelance journalist
who writes on women's issues and evolution and nursed 6 children "at a time
when breastfeeding was rare."

Some quotes...

"...breastfeeding is vital to a child's development.  It shrinks the uterus
postpartum, serves to inhibit another pregnancy during lactation, and, above
all, provides the food, cuddling and love that babies must have--the bonding
between mother and child that lays the foundation for future growth."  page
14

"Every human infant must have unconditional love; without it, an infant's
health and growth will be stunted...A mother's breastfeeding, with a
supportive family structure around her...is the way the human species has
evolved." page 15

The article goes on to quote alot of professionals, some I have hear of and
some I have not, and ends by saying...

"In the face of such overwhelming, unanimous testimony, can we doubt that we
are failing our children?  The dismal truth is that, on the whole, babies
received more and better care 25,000 years ago, 250,000 years ago, even 2.5
million years ago, than many do today." page 15

This is from the Jan/Feb 2001 issue.

Kathy
IBCLC in Maryland.

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