Praises to Jon Ahrendsen for the bf in church post. I recently addressed a group of MOPS (Mother<@146>s of Pre-Schooler) about biblical breastfeeding. <N>In my research I found 23 direct references to the nursing breast, only one on the sexual breast. There are some very interesting passages that could be connected to when to introduce solids, family bed and other <@147>controversial<@148> issues. Thumb sucking: <N>As a Bradley childbirth educator I am always looking for alternatives to the use of meds during birth. <N>When a woman in labor sucks her thumb, her contractions become stronger due to the release of oxytocin (the love hormone). <N>There is a accupressure point on the roof of the mouth, the thumb put pressure on this point. <N>Could it be that these children and adults are in need of or even addicted to oxytocin? <N><N>Hey, next time I<@146>m depressed I<@146>ll try it. The eyes have it: Joy Gordon does recommend breastmilk in the eyes and orifices. <N>I personally prefer breastmilk to the use of those gosh darn bulb syringes! <N>My personal belief is that these bulb syringes have a negative effect on initial BF after birth. <N>Most practitioners routinely suction babies during and immediately following birth. This is not <@147>carefully<@148> done, possibly damaging the delicate tissues of the baby<@146>s mouth and nose. <N>When our mouths or noses hurt we<@146>re generally not interested in eating, are we? What about all that mucous? <N>It<@146>s my understanding that colostrum breaks down mucous. <N>Also without and episiotomy (necessary only for fetal distress) the mother<@146>s intact perineum presses in on the baby<@146>s chest as it squeezes through the vagina (the fetal hymlich maneuver), the AAHCC (The Bradley Method) has a video. Yes/nod/laugh/yes! to Melissa Vicker's question about mumbling "this wouldn't have happened if they had been breasted". My friends and family are constantly hearing BF and childbirth analogies as well. Capri A Mungeam, AAHCC, LLLL ChildBorn Birth Services