At 11:46 PM 2/15/01 -0500, [log in to unmask] wrote:
>At first glance I loved the idea, but then I wondered how new mothers who may
>have been reading and believing in any of the "Shame" titles have
>reacted.  Please tell us more about how you have presented
>those dis-recommended books and how people have responded.

Oh, I completely agree that alienation is not the goal!  Education and
critical thinking is.  I use that old standby, "Take what works for you,
and leave the rest".  I couple that with "This is *your* baby", and "do
what feels right for you and your family", and "don't believe everything
you read".  These books aren't all bad, every single paragraph.  I think
the Ferber book has some interesting and useful chapters, on sleep cycles,
for example.  WTETFY has good information about sensory and motor
development.  I'm sure there is some excellent baby care advice dispersed
throughout Ms. Hogg's book as well, along with the misinformation.  The
point is to show that not only is there dreck out there being marketed to
new moms, but that much of the dreck is directly counter to good  (real!
factual!) research, mother's own instincts, and just plain common sense.
Feed your kid when he is hungry.  Hold your kid 'cuz it makes him
happy.  Pick him up when he cries.  It really is so simple, you hardly need
a book.

Nancy Holtzman RN BSN IBCLC
Great Beginnings New Mothers Groups
near Boston MA

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