Sometimes I feel like the minority, one of the few on LACTNET who has
not yet had children.  I think it is obvious though, that I wouldn't be here if
I didn't plan to breastfeed my children someday.

I tend to view myself as the *typical* woman (according to US statistics)
who chooses to breastfeed today - white, married, educated, middle
class or above, older, living on the west coast (84% initiation rates in
Oregon) . . .   In addition, all of my friends, colleagues, and sisters
breastfed their children.  I am surrounded by a culture in which
breastfeeding IS THE NORM!  I consider myself *very* fortunate!

In spite of all of the intellectual reasons that I will choose to breastfeed,
more importantly is the intuitive reason.  My soul tells me that nature
intended for us to breastfeed.  That is why we have breasts.  Plain and
simple.

Debi VanderMey Barr
Portland, Oregon