As a teacher in the primary grades (mostly K and first grade)
for the last number of years, I wanted to comment on last week's
proposal to include breastfeeding in health ed. or science in
the schools.  Even if I believed that there are teachers who have
time for such things I am not sure that including breastfeeding
in the curriculum guides will make much of a difference.
There are many, many topics included in the curriculum that
are never taught in lots of schools.  The reality of the
situation is that classes are often too crowded, kids too
troubled and time much too short to include very much health
ed. or enrichment topics.  Despite my own clear preferences
and prejudices about the best way to nurture and nourish
a baby I never could work this in well.  I must admit
that I had few picture books that would have allowed
reading aloud to serve as the window of opportunity.
Teachers are being asked to be teachers of academics, morals
(even in public school), arts, sciences, phys. ed, and to
be social workers as well.  It is a well nigh impossible
task and having one more mandate in an your mailbox will not
guarantee inclusion of this vital material in many
classrooms.  Forgive me for sounding cynical but the real
world of 34 Kindergarten children in an inner city classroom
must be considered.
It's been a long week.

Sarah Friend Barnett, M.A., LLL leader, IBCLC
Bronx (New York City), NY
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