>For the mental health of a mother and her family, and our civilization,
>we need to recognize that the best thing for a healthy baby is a happy
>mother (no matter what the baby is being fed).

I understand the sincere reasoning behind this attitude - BUT - I have
heard this too many times used as an excuse to justify the mother not
choosing to breastfeeding or weaning very early because she "wasn't happy."
 As in "I don't think I'll like breastfeeding, and it's more important for
the baby to have a happy mother."  Or "Breastfeeding makes my breasts too
big to play tennis comfortably, and it's more important for me to be able
to play tennis, and be happy -- because a happy mother is more important
for my baby than breast milk."

Just grumpy.
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Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.                         email:
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Anthropology Department                               phone: (409) 845-5256
Texas A&M University                                    fax: (409) 845-4070
College Station, TX  77843-4352
http://www.prairienet.org/laleche/dettwyler.html