Hi Nina,
I had a conversation with the mother later that day - we ended up on the
same bench at the park. "breastfeeding at home" meant not at work.  The
mother had just returned to work at the end of her 3 and half month paid
maternity leave.  Breastfeeding in public is not an issue in Israel.  Short
(paid) maternity leave is.
I realized when I wrote that post that I was including pumping under the
title of "breastfeeding is normal" when pumping of course is neither
breastfeeding or exactly normal but I was still impressed with these young
girls awareness of how babies should be fed including when Mom is at work
(also not the ideal but unfortunately the norm).  By the way, baby was
exclusively breastmilk fed and almost all of that at the breast.
I love what you said about your children educating your class.  My own
children nurse their dolls (and everything else) but I am talking about two
girls who are apparently not the daughters of lactation consultants or
breastfeeding counselors (or even of the type of women in Israel who takes a
lactation consultant) knowing what babies should be fed.
All the best,
Chayn

On Fri, May 8, 2009 at 12:42 AM, Nina Berry <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> "Her friend said something I couldn't hear and she said,
> "yes she [her mother] breastfeeds her [the baby] when she is home, when she
> isn't home she pumps milk - she has a special machine, do you know about
> it?"
>
>
> I actually find this a little troubling.  How is it that these girls have
> the idea that breastpumps and bottles are a normal part of (breast)feeding
> a
> baby?  How is it that breastfeeding in public is such a problem in Israel?
> My own daughter educated her entire preschool by setting up a beanbag and a
> side table (where she put a glass of water the telephone) before sitting
> down to (breast)feed her baby (doll).  She would often do this at story
> time.  My 10year old son had several conversations with his mate whose
> mother was expecting a baby, explaining that it is much more important for
> a
> baby to be breastfed than it is for her big brother to be able to
> bottlefeed
> her sometimes - and suggesting some other ways he could help his mum with
> the new baby.  (And he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut when the
> same
> mate told him that the baby had been switched to formula because she was
> lactose intolerant at less than three months.  "That's not right is it
> Mum?")
> Cheers
> Nina Berry
> Australia
>
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