In a message dated 98-04-28 09:32:23 EDT, EandS4959 writes:

<< My problem is
 finding references to support the idea that breastfeeding may be a motivation
 for moms to stop their drug abuse. >>

I am posting to the list as well as emailing privately because this may be an
interesting positive outcome of breastfeeding not talked about too much in the
past.

Although I dont have the hard copy in front of me, Ruth Lawrence's newest
paper on human milk (MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH Technical Information Bulletin
A Review of the Medical Benefits and Contraindications to Breastfeeding in the
United States, October 1997) has an interesting part about mothers in a WIC
program becoming more empowered, self-assured, (I wish I could remember all
this stuff without digging through my file) more basically psychologically
healthy.  Indirect link to less drug abuse? The study didnt mention it
specifically, but all the generalities are there:  bf increased all the
behaviors that are known to unlikely to be present generally in drug abusers.
Oh heck here's the quote (I remembered what favorite place I had it in):

<<In studies of young women enrolled in the WIC in Kentucky who were randomly
assigned to breastfeed or not to breastfeed and who were provided with a
counselor/support person throughout the first year post-partum, the young
women who were randomized to breastfeed changed their behavior 21,22 They
developed self-esteem and assertiveness, became more outgoing, and interacted
more maturely with their infants than did the women assigned to formula
feeding. The women who breastfed turned their lives around by completing
school, obtaining employment, and providing for their infants.>>

21. Bryant CA. 1986. Overcoming Breastfeeding Barriers. Paper presented at
U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services Region IV nutrition conference, Building Support Networks for
Breastfeeding, Atlanta, GA.
22. Gussler JD, Bryant CA, eds. 1984. Helping Mothers to Breastfeed: Program
Strategies for Minority Communities. Lexington, KY: Nutrition and Health
Education division, Lexington-Fayette County Health Department.

http://www.breastfeeding.net/law.htm is where you can find this paper (scroll
down till you see it)

good luck--this may help convince your superiors that bf leads generally to
healthier behaviors; it may be part of a big picture of healthy behaviors that
work together
to decrease drug use.

Mailto:  [log in to unmask]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joy Berry-Parks
LLL, Central Arkansas
Attachment Parenting Group of AR
Anthropology Apprentice
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"Childhood Decides."---Jean Paul Sartre
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