Hi Netters,
I know, once again I am way behind on posts. Last weekend, I was in
Cleveland, Ohio with all my relatives celebrating my aunt and uncles 50th
anniversary. My uncle, being a National Geagraphic fanatic, had many animal
videos. I insisted watching the lions and elephants one evening since I just
got back from Kenya. WOW I got to see mother elephant nurse her calves. It
is true that the mother elephants really protect their babys, especially from
the cats that just wait for that opportunity to get hold of a wondering baby.
The female actually is the leader of the group. They have matriarch groups
that migrate around and the female tells them where and when to move. It
showed one poor baby that wondered off and the group went on without the
baby. The baby in turn would find another matriarch group and guess what?
They rejected the baby. It is sorta sad. Then the cats go out for the
kill. It did say occasionally a mother will take on another baby (adopt) and
nurse it. They did show the nursing calves which looked just like the
picture (I made into a slide and have showed it several times now in my
lectures) I took when I was in Kenya. I know we talked about where the teats
were located on an elephant at ILCA. Guess what Katherine, they are located
about the same place as on humans. Clear as day there were two hanging down
from the upper body. FYI- elephants are pregnant for almost 2 years. No
thank you, 9 months was enough for me!!!!! Elephants are incredible, loving
animals. I think it is very true that other mammals take much better care of
their young than we do. Have a good weekend everyone.
Sorry if this was already responded to since I am behind in my posts.
Wellstarts address is: Wellstart International, Corporate Headquarters,
4062 First Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103 #-(619) 295-5192 or Wellstart
International, Expanded Promotion of Breastfeeding Program, 333 K Street, NW,
Suite 101, Washington, DC 20007. #- (202) 298-7979. I did order their video
"Investing in the Future: Women, Work and Breastfeeding?" Excellant!!!
Pat Bull, RN, IBCLC
The Breastfeeding Connection/Medela
Naperville, IL
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