In addition to the factors mentioned by Jessica, in observant Jewish
households, marital relations are forbidden during menses and the week after
menses.  Given an "average" 28 day cycle, this means that for many women,
marital relations always occur during the two weeks when she is most likely
to be fertile.

In addition, in ultra-Orthodox circles, there is a strict code of physical
modesty, which many women find makes nursing in public very difficult.

Jessica, perhaps this is only true in Jerusalem, where I have spent the most
time, but I could not help  but notice the very high rates of pacifier
use(seemingly almost universal).  Do you think this is related to the time
demands of a large family, or are there other  cultural factors at work?  It
seems to me that I can count on the fingers of one hand the times that I've
seen an infant(or even a toddler) without a pacifier"motzetz"in her mouth.

Have other Israeli Lactnetters seen this?

Karen Kavesh
currently in Philadelphia,
loking forward to my annual month in Israel this summer.

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