As one who just a few years ago viewed extended BF as "just for the mom's
benefit" I feel qualified to give a "father's" point of view, and a
"dentist-with-knowledge of jaw growth and development" point of view to the
BF forum.

Unrealistic Expectations usually lead to disappointment....AND...frustration
which clearly comes across as zealot like BF ranting and wishful thinking.

To expect mothers to exclusively BF for 3-5 years is
unrealistic.....BUT....to inform them of the value of a minimum of 4 to 6
months exclusive is a major first step. (go for the greatest benefit for the
minimum time)

To expect fathers to aid the BF cause after 30 years of being bashed &
trashed is unrealistic.....BUT...to inform them of the MANY benefits to their
mutual children of 4 to 6 months exclusive BF...is a major step in getting
allies.

To expect the "modern" public to embrace open
"whip-it-out-any-time-any-place" BF is unrealistic.....BUT....to have them
accept discreet BF is not.

To expect society to change patterns of infant care, is REALISTIC, if society
is informed of the MANY benefits of BF, including newly discovered ones, at a
time when society in general is looking at ALTERNATIVES to what I call
MANAGED care....and MANAGED care differs greatly from CURE-Care.

To expect MDS to embrace BF when they have training and pressures to FF even
if just to keep that infant at currently accepted target weights is
unrealistic....BUT....if one can show how cultures that BF DO NOT have
similar infant illnesses....AND...if medicine will lend an ear-outside their
BOX--then MDs may come around to embrace BF.

FINALLY, to expect allies to join a sensitive battle in the near term is
unrealistic.....BUT....may be expedited by 1) major health allies like
dentists joining, 2) some major news about how FF directly impacts infant
health in a negative way....OR...3) by a major suit against FF companies or
for BF rights in hospitals....time will tell.  How so????? Well, if MD
decisions, as most health care decisions are based on practicing defensive
medicine, then it would seem to be defensive posturing to decrease FF (which
is shown in the  research to be directly related to a number of later
illnesses) and to increase BF....to practice more informed and more defensive
medicine.  For once informed and knowledgeable about the benefits of specific
medical care, it is considered NEGLIGENCE to NOT practice it.....or at the
least NEGLIGENCE to practice damaging medicine---"DO NO HARM"!

Smile-On,
DCPage, DDS

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