I thought I would share this info about whales since this has come
up this week.  My 6 year old son had a book on Whales from the
school library that did not mention that whales nurse their young.
Later that day, we were at the book fair at his school and we came
across another book on whales for early readers.  Out of curiosity I
looked to see what is said about baby whales and was very pleased:

Right at the beginning of the book the text says:

"Mammal babies feed on their mother's milk."

How whales are born.

"A whale baby, called a calf, is born under water. Seconds after it
is born, the mother helps it to surface so it can breathe.  The
mother watches closely over her new calf.  She protects it from
danger.

The whale calf stays near its mother and drinks her rich milk.  The
milk is full of fat and helps the calf grow quickly."

"This sperm whale squeezes out her milk.  The baby gulps it down"

How Whales Grow and Learn

"Most whale calves stay with their mother until she is ready to give
birth to a new baby - up to two or three years.  It may take ten or
more years for the young whale to reach full size."

"A humpback whale mother and baby swim close together.  They touch
each other often."

"A new calf tires easily. This baby Gray whale rests on its mother's
back."

Needless to say we bought this lovely book. Whales have more to
teach us about parenting and breastfeeding it seems that we have
taught them with this giant baby bottle display.  It is a shame that
the display doesn't talk about these wonderful aspects of whales
instead.

Whales: Killer Whales, Blue Whales and More by Deborah Hodge,
illustrated by Pat Stephens, Kids Can Press, 1997.

--
Janet Vandenberg, RN, BScN,
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
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