Fellow Lactnetters,
I am not sure whether this post is okay or not but I felt like we could
possibly help this lady.  I was sent this note from one of my newsgroups.  I
am sure she would be thankful for our professional input.


Court orders breastfeeding to stop!
From: "Marshall Builders" <[log in to unmask]>

{I'm sending this as a special as she only has until April 15
to gather the info she needs.  -Donna}

I am looking for some support and help in my right to breastfeed. I am at
the end of a long divorce and I have a nine month old son that is
breastfed. Next month the court is going to tell me when I have to stop
breastfeeding him. I have asked if I could continue breastfeeding him until
he is 14 months old. I was told by our judge no because he wanted the
overnight visitation to start as soon as possible. The courts have taken my
issue lighty if at all. I am afraid I have no where to turn in need of
help. I only have until April 15, 1998. This is our next scheduled hearing.
I am told that this will be the final hearing. I love my son. I love the
bond I share with him. I am not against extended visitaion with his father.
I am very much for it. However, I don't believe that the court system
should determine when I have to stop breastfeeding my son. I believe that
it should end when my son is comfortable stopping and I am too? I would
very much appreciate your support and advice. I need to be quick in
defending my right. I only have a limited time before I go back to court.
Please help me. Also if you know of any other advocacy or organization that
could help me, I would deeply appreciate it. I will be speaking to Liz
Baldwin soon.

Thank You,
Maribeth Marshall
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
(414) 534-9937

--
{her reply to me:}

         First off, I would like to thank you for your advice and support
on my breastfeeding issue.  My lawyer has been in contact with Liz Baldwin.
I have also contacted Le Lache but have yet to hear from them.  I also have
downloaded the American Pediatric Assoc. policy on breastfeeding for the
judge.

I am hoping now for support in the form of letters to the judge. If
you are so inclined I would truly appreciate it. You can e-mail them to me
and my lawyer will present them to the judge. Any help I can get will be
appreciated, my time is running out!
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