We have a lot of Waldorf schools and other Anthroposophical institutions in
the Netherlands.

Van: Cathy Bargar <[log in to unmask]>

>I don't know what "Anthroposophy" has
>to say about breastfeeding (and I wouldn't trust this guy's
>interpretation!!!), but I do know lots about breastfeeding, and he is dead
>wrong (esp. the mumbo-jumbo about BF having no value after 4 months!). I'm
>not too sure what "Anthroposophical Medicine" is - our Waldorf school's
>physician was a DO - but making such statements with whatever authority he
>expects his title to convey is unethical. I don't even know who you would
>file a complaint with.

yes, I've heard this is the standard advice from Anthroposophical Medicine.
This theory is based on the things Rudolf Steiner has said, his word is law,
and he was breastfed for 3 years, but found his bonding with his mother too
strong. so he encourages to wean around 7 a 8 months. His theory has many
typical aspects of the late 19th century, as this anti-mother theory is. He
also says that children shouldn't be allowed ot write lefthanded since this
would encourage selfishness.

>If this had happened to me, I would have taken the matter up with the
>teachers & parents at the school. I would offer to do an educational
>presentation on breastfeeding, incorporating aspects of Waldorf education
>that are compatible with BFing (and there certainly are many!)- build on
the
>strengths of BFing and the strengths of Waldorf philosophy, so that the
>parents and teachers have better grounding in the reasons why BFing is so
>important.

this wouldn't help. Steiner has said it, the theory is very anti-science,
and often they do not take scientific evidence as a valid argument.

Annelies Bon
bf counsellor of the Dutch bf organization "Borstvoeding Natuurlijk"

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