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Date: | Wed, 13 Aug 2003 18:56:43 +1000 |
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Thankyou Nancy! It was remiss of me not to mention your article.
I would like to discuss some of what you raise in this article if that's
alright.
In my opinion the concern with the most substance is that of the risk of
spread of disease (foster mother-child and child-foster mother) but I think
that measures can to taken to reduce this risk to an insignificant level.
However, the crux of the issue in my mind is the social aspects and whether
breastfeeding is an added extra for babies or a fundamental part of child
care. If it is the former then it is understandable that children in foster
care might not get this bonus but if it is a basic part of child care,
normal rather than special then not providing this opportunity to
vulnerable
children is in a way like telling foster mothers that they should not
cuddle
their foster children because it might induce them or the child to
"over-attach." Of course since it is easier for a child to transfer
attachment than build it from scratch if missed in the usual time frame
because of abuse/neglect/multiple placement this does not necessarily hold
much water.
I'd would be interested in the opinion of others on this. Is breastfeeding
"special" or "normal" and why is there are reluctance to consider that
babies could benefit from breastfeeding by other than their mother.
By the way, for those who heard my talk at ILCA, 2 of the cases described
were foster children not adopted children (so obviously my own
understanding
of the sensitivities of those listening resulted in me altering the stories
a little) and I know of many cases of foster breastfeeding, sometimes with
official sanction, somtimes without and children have been removed from the
care of their foster mothers because of breastfeeding or told stop or
else).
Karleen Gribble
Australia
> There is a point-counterpoint on this issue (specifically breastfeeding
> foster-care infants) in our San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition
newsletter of
> Sept 2002 at:
> http://www.breastfeeding.org/newsletter/v2i3/page1.html
>
> Nancy E. Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC
> Neonatologist, Children's Hospital & Sharp Mary Birch Hospital For Women
> Medical Director, Sharp HealthCare Lactation Services
> San Diego, California, USA
> [log in to unmask]
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