I love Yasmin's example of food in her culture. I believe that, starting with breastfeeding, eating for humans is both social and about love. It is not by accident that babies nurse when they are unhappy or in pain. I have heard advocates of scheduled feeding say that demand feeding will lead babies to seek out food for comfort and hence develop trouble with eating disorders. In fact, many of us would counter that the opposite is true--babies who have bottles propped or who are trained that nursing is only for food, and then go on to eat meals alone, or with tension, or with a sense of being rushed, are the ones at the most risk for seeking out food to fill the void of intimacy in their lives. Of course, love can and is expressed in ways not involving food--which is where the original comment about Dads came from. The reality is, mom's comforting presence in the first few years will often include her warm milk--that is the way it should be. Hence, the Dad probably will be the first deep relationship for baby that does not involve food. However, because so many mothers are coming in with feelings that food and love should be separate, a different way of expressing the Dad's role might be more helpful so as not to undermine breastfeeding on demand, at least in areas where it may be misunderstood. Michele Call *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome