Dear Friends,

Today, I saw an Ophra re-run about anorexia.  Part of the show concerned
a "clinic or hospital" in Canada where a woman named Peggy is using what
I would consider "attachment-type parenting" theraphy to help
resolve the issues of what she called "negative brain patterns (well,
something like that)of the anorexics coming to her place.  She claims
that their place has had terrific results (and I believe this is
possible).

Perhaps this was discussed on Lactnet when the show first appeared.
Anyway, one of the anorexics was a three year old (yes, three years)
who's mother felt the feeding problems began around nine months of age,
and by 18 months he was telling her he was afraid of food.

Now, Kathleen Auerbach, I hope that you are planning to do another of
your vital research projects looking for the connection between complete
Breastfeeding(the real thing), early solids, parent controlled feeding
and the initiation or maintance of this "negative brain pattern" (Try to
include attachment parenting, co-sleeping and baby wearing,too.)

Just teasing, I'm sure your plate is full.  But I find it tantalizing to
think about these issues inter-relating.  I would love to reach into
that arena, but do not have the appropriate education or resources.

I do know that bonding beyond infancy with an older child when you are
breastfeeding (finally) a new baby is not only possible but wondrus.

My daughter, Kathleen, 21, with a georgeous 4 month old baby & doing the
real thing, even though she has to work 4 full days a week.  Fortunately
she works for the incredible ped, LLL med assoc Kathie Coopersmith, who
lets her staff bring breastfeeding babies to work with them for the
first 4 months. And then allows flex time to arrange best situation for
mom and baby (Kathleen starts working mornings next week because she
can't stand the thought of being away from baby Ashee for all day.(Yea!
There is a Higher Power that looks over old LLLLs children)

Anyway, after the Windfrey show, Kathleen said that she didn't remember
ever being forced to eat, in fact she doesn't remember anything about
eating issues except eating when she was hungry or having a peanut
butter sandwich if she didn't like what was for dinner.

Most of our children have had really intensive "growning pains" due to a
biological chemical imbalance that came from my genes. We have had to
use tough, non-enabling parenting at times but they seem to have a sense
of self-worth and know that they are valued & loved, and always will be
loved.

Since I had been overweight as a child and teen, I hoped that none of my
7 children would have any eating issues by breastfeeding them forever
(no, even my 15 yr old is weaned), letting them start solids by removing
food from my plate, keeping them physically active and having lots of
"good stuff" around  & easily available for them to eat whenever they
got hungry

However, Kathleen does think her & her sibling's adult sugar addiction
came from not having enough red jello, kool-aid and candy bars during
their childhood. I figured those that attended school, sports & church
functions got more than enough sugar in their diets.

Sorry for the ramblings.  What we have here is soooo much more than
optimum nutrition, it's optimum life.  FondLLLy, Linda
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"Those who were dancing were thought to be quite
                          insane by those who could not hear the music"
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