The story of the 80 year old lady wondering what all the fuss is about reminds
me that my mother, also age 80, finds it strange that I am so involved with
lactation education, going to meetings, giving talks, etc.  She says of
breastfeeding, "You just do it.  You don't need classes, just put the baby to
the breast."  I wish life were still that simple.

Two and half weeks ago, I participated in the birthing process of a close
relative.  She stayed on her feet to the very end.  No epidural, no IV, no
continuous monitoring.  The baby immediately knew where her "table" was. Two
days later at home mother had to pump 5 ounces from each breast to relieve
engorgement.  Her milk supply is wonderful!  How many times do we
obstetricians interfere with milk supply by our "routine" practices?.
......Victoria Nichols Johnson, MD


In a message dated 05~02~98 10:30:25 A, you wrote:


"I am 80 years old, and I wonder what the world is coming to when a law
needs to be passed to allow a woman to breast-feed her baby in public.
When I was growing up, nearly all women, especially those in rural areas,
breast-fed their babies.  Mothers took their babies everywhere, and when
they were hungry, they exposed their breast and fed them.  Many times I
have seen babies breast-fed in church while the minister delivered a
sermon.  This was accepted as a way of life.

I remember going to an auction on a neighbor's farm.  It was summertime,
and a few of us were sitting on a porch.  A mother was breast-feeding her
baby.  She had large breasts.  A man sitting on a bench beside me looked
at the mother feeding her baby and turned to me and remarked in a low
voice,  "She sets a good table."

Elsie Hill, Palmer (AK)"

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