Dear Everybody,

Just  when I think I have Heard It All, I hear Another One. We must Laugh to
avoid Crying. So far this year, I have heard, It's Too Personal, from the
Nineteen-year-old mother who was considering Drifting out to California to
Hang Out. Then there was the Young Mother wanting bottlefeeding Information
and Advice in anticipation of a Fourth of July picnic, who wished to Avoid
Breastfeeding due to the problems of the Wind Blowing. Yes, indeed, Pilgrims,
the wind Blowing. Seems Poor Infant did not nurse well at a previous Picnick
because of the Infernal Wind ever a-blowin'. Poor Infant was nine days Old on
Day of Celebratory Picnick.

Yes, Kathryn, I have Adopted another Style for the moment. Lighten Up, those
who Seek Personal Affront.

But, my Two responses to these Questions about Not Making Others feel Guilty
are these. Firstly, it is Each Mother's Prerogative to Decide about
breastfeeding in Front of Others. Secondly, when I Spy a Woman approaching a
Certain Time, i always Ask about her Intentions for Feeding the Blessed
Event. I carry with me Various Tracts and Materials concerning BF to share.
Occasional Successes can be Attributed to this Method of Encouragement.

When I happen upon an Infant of a Young Age, I admire Said Infant following
the Guidelines I once happened Across. If the Baby is lovely, I say, "What a
Beautiful Baby!" If the Baby is Unlovely, as often happens, I say, "You Must
be so Proud." Having Established the conversation in This Fashion, I then
ask, "And how is the Nursing going?" or some Similar Question designed to
Provoke an Answer. And if the answer is the Dreaded Bottle, I then say, "I am
sorry to Hear That."

How can we Expect to cause BF to Become the Norm if we do Not Model it as the
Norm? If we do not Speak of that which is Closest to our Heart, how can we
Convey it as Thus to Others? Of course, Not every Opportunity is Best for
this Approach, and I have Learned the Bitter Lesson of Avoiding those with
the Dreaded Accessory, in order to not Distress myself Unduly.

We must each Seek our Own Path. Thus do I Scorn my own Physician who Wishes
to be Considered BF Friendly, but does not Require or Otherwise Take a Stand,
for Fear of Causing Women Guilt. Contrast this Praktise with that of various
Midwives of our Towne, who will Drop a Client even at a Late Hour, if that
Woman should Claim to not Intend to BF. But I Continue to Try to Sway Her,
with Gentle Persuasions and Constant Propaganda.

And I Privately think of My Humble Self as a Breastfeeding Terrorist, willing
to use Even Guilt at Last, when I think it a Suitable Means.

My Dedication for Mother's Day is my Own Dear One, who, despite a certain
Smallness of Chest, determined to breastfeed her Very Large Baby in the year
1954, because of a Scornful and Hurtful Remark from her Very Own Mother, who
responded to her Intention to Breastfeed by saying, "What with?"  Thereupon
she Persevered in her Nursing of me for Three months, despite the Worst
Advise from her Doctor. And then again, Two Years from that Date, did so with
my Brother as Well.

A Good Mother's Day to All,
LLLLove,
Carol Brussel

P.S. I won't be Ben Franklin forever.