> teens who have either
> a
> less than perfect relationship with their mom or are strong enough to
> make
> and live by their own decisions (and have a mom who accepts that) are the
> ones I find turn out the most successful at breastfeeding. Those who are
> extremely dependent or submissive or want mom to take over (or has a mom
> who
> steps in and takes over) tend to be the ones, I've seen, who breastfeed a
> little or not at all.
>
Interesting point -- there was some research on what kind of women
tended to breastfeed -- anyone know where it is? It suggested BFing
women tended to be more confident, assertive, had a better body image
and were more comfortable with their sexuality. I think I've got that
all right: sure makes sense to me. What is interesting to me is the
possibility that it works both ways, i.e. breastfeeding encourages women
to be more self-confident, assertive etc. A centre for teen moms in
Hamilton, Ontario, certainly suggests that, given the right supports,
teen moms can and will breastfeed and develop wonderful parenting skills
(the kind that make us older moms stand back and say, "wow")
Jo-Anne, whose mother wasn't much older than those moms when she started
a long and beautiful mothering career.

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