Jane Eisner's email is bouncing, so I'm sending this to the main email address.


Since you have exposed yourself to public scrutiny through your
editorial, I feel compelled to respond to one part of your
"breastfeeding" letter.  You mentioned twice the role of your husband in
the decision to begin and continue to breastfeed your child.  If you
have truely, acturately portrayed this man, I have an enormous sympathy
for you and your child. To think that he believes that your
breastfeeding instead of him bottlefeeding is a loss is both selfish and
childish. Feeding a child with a bottle is about as exciting as putting
gas in the car, especially after the tenth time.  Your husband misses
this?  Doubtful.  Second, to see a contradiction between your husband's
need for your breasts and the baby's is sad. Breasts are primarily for
children to nurse.  Anything else you or your husband derive from them
is a bonus, but of no consequence when it comes to the welfare of your
child. I can't imagine you explaining to your grown daughter that her
allergies are due to your mate's need to cop a feel. How about SIDS,IQ,
etc.? Finally, you state that your husband must share you with the child.
Grow up.  I have three children, I have never, not once, considered that
my children and I are somehow competing for my wife, let alone her
breasts. This is no longer the "me" decade. Think about the welfare of
your children.  If you or any of your readers are unable to do this,
please, for the sake of any more children, simply refrain from having
them.


Steven Dettwyler, father of Miranda, Peter and Alexander