Hey lactnetters....especially those with some knowledge of legal rights of
BF mothers...

Situation:
Mother of 6 1/2 month old completely BF baby (never has taken a bottle &
won't now) called our BF Warmline. Her husband has filed for divorce. Her
husband's attorney told her she has to quit BF so her husband can have the
baby on weekends. She consulted with two attorneys who told her that's
true, she has to quit BF and get the baby on a bottle or they can force
her to (like take the baby away from her). They also said that, since
she's a stay-at-home mom,and baby breastfeeds every 3 hours around the
clock, that's grounds for declaring her an "unfit mother", and, on that
the baby could be taken away from her.

I am reading what I just wrote and thinking "this has to be a joke"! How
could three professionals all offer the above as legal advice. I will be
talking with this mom more tomorrow. Right now, the shock and anger of
this story are blocking my ability to think of anything except what would
happen to me if I were deliver such a mandate.

I realize that there are two sides to every story, so I'm not trying to
fight the battle, but I would like to give this mother information about
her rights and I surely would appreciate your comments.

Amy Mueller, BSN, RN, IBCLC
Traverse City
[log in to unmask]