I saw the dateline story and felt a number of mixed  emotions.  I've been
in Emma's shoes, trying to find balance in my life as a mother and an
officer in the US Army and my heart goes out to her.  It showed that some
commanders are willing to help as evidenced by her commander in Panama.  If
she had 2 1/2 hours off for lunch, I wonder if her payback was a longer
work day/week?  Dateline didn't elaborate.  Shedding Emma in a
not-so-positive light is a routine military PR tactic.  It doesn't surprise
me at all.

I was outraged that a senior ranking officer, a women who nursed for six
weeks and then formula fed her baby, was put on a pedestal by Dateline.
Why should any mother have to do that in order to serve her country?  How
sad that she had to wean at an early six weeks and that this is supposed to
be *okay*!?   Many soldiers have kept up a rigorous schedule and breastfed
successfully and it takes knowledge, good equipment, and committment.  It
also takes a supportive boss and coworkers.  I've helped many soldiers
blend service and breastfeeding with some very favorable outcomes, some
nursing into their baby's second year and surviving their rigorous
schedules via attachment parenting (They don't believe me until they are
parents themselves!  : ).  I'll have to get their input on the story and
get back to you.

The government has spent millions of dollars to train women like me, Emma,
and thousands of others like us who chose motherhood over soldiering.  We
become mothers and they lose us because it tears on our heartstrings. ( I
was able to fulfill my commitment and continue to serve in the reserves.)
Is telling the government, look at all the *money* you are losing on these
highly trained mothers, the key to getting the message across?  This story
simply illustrated the continuing need for our knowledge, perserverence and
fortitude when it comes to breastfeeding advocacy and government policy.  I
hope Emma's courage encourages more women to speak out about the severity
of the issue in our Armed Forces.

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Birth and Breastfeeding Resources
Manhattan, KS  USA
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