Praises to Jon Ahrendsen for the bf in church post.  I recently addressed
a group of MOPS (Mother<@146>s of Pre-Schooler) about biblical breastfeeding.
<N>In
my research I found 23 direct references to the nursing breast, only
one on the sexual breast.  There are some very interesting passages
that could be connected to when to introduce solids, family bed and
other <@147>controversial<@148> issues.

Thumb sucking: <N>As a Bradley childbirth educator I am always looking
for alternatives to the use of meds during birth. <N>When a woman
in labor sucks her thumb, her contractions become stronger due to
the release of oxytocin (the love hormone). <N>There is a accupressure
point on the roof of the mouth, the thumb put pressure on this point.
<N>Could
it be that these children and adults are in need of or even addicted
to oxytocin? <N><N>Hey, next time I<@146>m depressed I<@146>ll try
it.

The eyes have it:  Joy Gordon does recommend breastmilk in the eyes
and orifices. <N>I personally prefer breastmilk to the use of those
gosh darn bulb syringes! <N>My personal belief is that these bulb
syringes have a negative effect on initial BF after birth. <N>Most
practitioners routinely suction babies during and immediately following
birth. This is not <@147>carefully<@148> done, possibly damaging the
delicate tissues of the baby<@146>s mouth and nose. <N>When our mouths
or noses hurt we<@146>re generally not interested in eating, are we?

What about all that mucous? <N>It<@146>s my understanding that colostrum
breaks down mucous. <N>Also without and episiotomy (necessary only
for fetal distress) the mother<@146>s intact perineum presses in on
the baby<@146>s chest as it squeezes through the vagina (the fetal
hymlich maneuver), the AAHCC (The Bradley Method) has a video.

Yes/nod/laugh/yes!  to Melissa Vicker's question about mumbling "this
wouldn't have happened if they had been breasted".  My friends and
family are constantly hearing BF and childbirth analogies as well.



Capri A Mungeam, AAHCC, LLLL

ChildBorn Birth Services