Greetings Lactnetters,
I am a LLL in Brooklyn who has been lurking for some time now, enjoying the
lively, always edifying discussions and impressive range and depth of
knowledge, experience and insight among you all.
I am mom to two fireballs named Nathaniel (Nate),7.4 and Jeremy, 4.7, the
latter of whom passionately refers to breastmilk as "my serum," and
lately, "my potion" (too much Harry Potter?). I have been nursing
continuously since 1995 and can attest to the contributions of
breastfeeding to IQ level, and, at least in my guys' case, to relentless
energy and spirited tenacity. It is my fondest hope that I'll have the
fortitude to survive their antics long enough to see these wild buds
through to their glorious fruition!:)
I do have a request for guidance from the diverse pool of experience out
there, as this is the first time I've received a call for help of a legal
nature.
A mom of an 18-mo-old called regarding an ugly custody case. Husband was
hitting her, she fled to parents out of state, was located by husband and
court ordered extended visitation. This began six months ago. Forensic psych
(-iatrist or -ologist?) basically trashed this woman, claiming she was
making the abuse stuff up. Female judge ordered mom to provide for these
extended visits, 2-hour distance away, anything available, including pumped
milk in a bottle. Mom has never pumped to this date and strongly wishes to
maintain nursing relationship. She's desperately afraid that the prolonged
absences will simply force her to wean, and, knowing there is controversy
about the extended nursing issue, wants to know if there is any way to
protect this cause via legal argument. There is some urgency to this, as
she is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday! Her attorney seems
sympathetic and open to the breastfeeding angle. This mom, while willing to
have her daughter visit the dad, also feels it's a control issue; he is not
particularly close or interested in the child (and had made a point of
demeaning mom for choosing SAH, close bonding with baby route, which led to
hitting...)and probably will lose interest in the whole custody issue --
but by then, mom feels, nursing relationship may be destroyed.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Marjorie
mom and referee to Nate the Great and Jeremy "Nurse Lee" (as opposed to
Bruce - his coinage:)), LLL in soggy Brooklyn, NY
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