Thankyou Nancy! It was remiss of me not to mention your article.
 I would like to discuss some of what you raise in this article if that's
 alright.
 In my opinion the concern with the most substance is that of the risk of
 spread of disease (foster mother-child and child-foster mother) but I think
 that measures can to taken to reduce this risk to an insignificant level.
 However, the crux of the issue in my mind is the social aspects and whether
 breastfeeding is an added extra for babies or a fundamental part of child
 care. If it is the former then it is understandable that children in foster
 care might not get this bonus but if it is a basic part of child care,
 normal rather than special then not providing this opportunity to
vulnerable
 children is in a way like telling foster mothers that they should not
cuddle
 their foster children because it might induce them or the child to
 "over-attach." Of course since it is easier for a child to transfer
 attachment than build it from scratch if missed in the usual time frame
 because of abuse/neglect/multiple placement this does not necessarily hold
 much water.
 I'd would be interested in the opinion of others on this. Is breastfeeding
 "special" or "normal" and why is there are reluctance to consider that
 babies could benefit from breastfeeding by other than their mother.
 By the way, for those who heard my talk at ILCA, 2 of the cases described
 were foster children not adopted children (so obviously my own
understanding
 of the sensitivities of those listening resulted in me altering the stories
 a little) and I know of many cases of foster breastfeeding, sometimes with
 official sanction, somtimes without and children have been removed from the
 care of their foster mothers because of breastfeeding or told stop or
else).

 Karleen Gribble
 Australia

 > There is a point-counterpoint on this issue (specifically breastfeeding
 > foster-care infants) in our San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition
 newsletter of
 > Sept 2002 at:
 > http://www.breastfeeding.org/newsletter/v2i3/page1.html
 >
 > Nancy E. Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC
 > Neonatologist, Children's Hospital & Sharp Mary Birch Hospital For Women
 > Medical Director, Sharp HealthCare Lactation Services
 > San Diego, California, USA
 > [log in to unmask]

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