Dear Rachel, Kathy, and all,
I did not mention that the entire clientel of the Rest Home is all Orthodox
Jewish women.  This is the reason for the family size.  Orthodox families
AS A GENERAL RULE do not use birth control, although specific circumstances
such as a health reason, or being overwhelmed emotionally, mentally etc.
will usually have the family asking their Rabbi for the ability to use
birth control for a limited amount of time until the problem clears.  Birth
control, although very uncommon, and if used only for a limited amount of
time, is still an option it absolutely neccessary.  Any family who has an
issue is urged to discuss it with the Rabbi and what is best for the woman
is then decided.    In any case, that is not really the issue.  But these
mothers are all thrilled with each new child, and we certainly see a very
wide age span- between 17-even 50!
I see a very large part of my duty to educate these women on how their body
works. LAM method of child spacing, and the tremendous health benifits of
breastfeeding.  Also, practically, if these women are bottle feeding, and
many times they have teenagers at home, who are usually only home after
school (This is a culture with NO movies, TV'S, total seperation of sexes
until marriage, so no distractions from boyfriends, etc- no culture of
drinking or Partying)  So these family members are available to help at
home.  The mother that can pass the baby on to another family member to
bottle feed, you can imagine the amount of rest during the day she then
gets when she is running such a huge household.  So I simply explain that
if you have to sit down and rest a MAXIMUM of every four hours- in the long
run you will be able to manage better and feel more energetic than if you
go straight all day without breaks.
P.S.
We in Israel do not get to confereces or lectures often.  Any of you who
would like to come to Israel, lecture, and see these things for yourself,
you have a place to stay with me, and we could work out paid expenses...
Linda, Barbara.....Anyone?
Jessica Billowitz, IBCLC
Israel

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