Hi All,
    On Emma's Choice, I finally remembered what it was that was left out
of the Dateline report, apparently Emma was to be assigned overseas to a
site where family members are not allowed (this is a lie as many people
bring their family members anyway). These are called unaccompanied
tours, many of the sites are called hardship sites (no or limited
facilities, no housing etc). Therefore the service has to 'pay'  funds
for families that are there, COLAs because the local economies vary
because of flucuating foreign currencies. The dangers of the local area
or surrounding countries (such as the Korea situation). And so on. If
Emma had to go and her husband could not get an assignment in the nearby
area, she would have to bring along another family member - such as a
sibling or parent to care for Isabella. All of this adds to both Emma's
stress and to the Army's. But I agree with Terriann & Kym, many, many
times in the past, I have seen the situation worked around for a male,
without all the hoopla. Is it because she is female, or because the
issue was breastfeeding - a process most in our society feel is
discardable at the first sign of trouble, inconvienence and anyway it is
just for the newborn, so what's the big deal.
    On Mardrey's son's comment about "having to lie on the floor and
nurse without her," my mind flashed back to a photo I have of my first
child at about 9 months lying on the floor with a bottle eating - it
breaks my heart now, but then I remember being so proud that he could
hold his bottle. I was real slow about letting #1 do much of anything,
didn't get competive as a parent at all - by the time I got around
parents who were - I knew better.
    The posts on breastfeeding and bottlefeeding and nursing and Norma's
comment on 'support' groups all bring up the important issue of the
'power' of words. Ad people know this is a fine and valuable art and
have mastered the technicques of using it, perhaps all those interested
in Lactation need more PR and Ad people involved (particularly women who
have breastfed) to help. I know that I am more sensitve to the visual
pictures that get to me, but being a writer, I also catch the phrases
that appear 'positive' but really are subtle sabotage. Breastfeeding is
one of those words - much as we here would not like to admit it - many
social, cultural and religious beliefs and values are already offended
and put off just by the word. And I ask you - do we say calfs are udder
feeding or it's udder milk? Just a thought as to how directed this issue
has become and my guess it's origins were in the formula manufacturing
area. Just wonder if someone knows when the first time the word
breastfeeding appeared in use and where? Inquiring minds want to know.
Norma is right, 'support group' does have negative connotations.

Leslie Ward
Vine Grove, KY
"Take your children with you wherever you go and be not ashamed." Hopi
proverb