----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Winnie Mading" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2008 5:26 PM
Subject: [LACTNET] Harrassment-illegal or otherwise


I've said this before, but want to reiterate in relation to this recent 
incident in Buffalo.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE BABY'S RIGHT TO NURSE-NOT THE MOM'S RIGHT TO 
BREASTFEED!!!!

After all, if it was just about the mom, there would be no compelling reason 
she couldn't wait (except maybe for some physical discomfort from full 
breasts).  It is realy about the baby's need (and therefore right) to eat 
whenever and whereever the need arises.  When a mom starts out by saying "I 
have the right to nurse anywhere" others focus only on her and may see her 
as being "pushy" or "fanatical" and never really think about or even notice 
the baby involved.  It is because the baby's need is immediate and because 
it is about the baby eating that admonitions such as "wait" or "do that 
somewhere else" are inappropriate.

Winnie Mading (stepping down from my soapbox now)

**It's a good soapbox, Winnie! I, too, feel that often rights and 
importancies are too much about moms instead of about babies. Babies can't 
advocate their own rights, so it is up to their mothers to speak for them 
and up to society to arrange for circumstances in which a mom doesn't have 
to invest so much energy in defending her baby's rights at the expense of 
her baby's wellbeing (as stress may reduce oxytocin and thereby milk 
production and thereby may endanger baby's thriving). Even maternity leave 
is about baby's rights, as so much research has pointed out the invaluable 
effect of secure attachment resulting from a mom just simply being around 
her infant and nursing it. Thank you, for inserting this aspect into the 
issue.

Kindly,

Marianne Vanderveen, Netherlands

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