In a message dated 99-01-25 18:06:08 EST, Cathy Bargar writes about the
nipple-assessment thread:

<< And, IMHO, women find it reassuring to have the breast changes they may
have noticed linked to the fact that they're getting ready to make milk for
the baby. They,
 themselves, personally, not just "pregnant women" or "women who plan to
 breastfeed". >>


To me this is also a link back to something Kathy Dettwyler wrote in
connection with the thread about whether or not women "know that bf is
better."  She wrote (sorry to paraphrase you KD, I didn't save it) that a lot
of women know that "it's better" but not what this means -- that it's still
better at 6 months or a year, or that most moms can make plenty of milk, etc
etc.

I think Cathy is right on that in prenatal care (whether or not you believe in
nipple assessment)  is the right time to connect those dots for them.    Not
just "bf is best on a statistical aggregate basis for some babies" but 'You,
lady, in your own personal breasts, are already making your babies appropriate
food, just like your placenta is feeding him/her now, and if after Junior is
born you learn how to attach him and feed him you will find it as thrilling
and satisfying as (hopefully) you are finding pregnancy, and you will be
nurturing & protecting & feeding him/her then like you are now."

It's a way to bring it home -- not "some people sometimes" but "You, right
now," because you are (at least figuratively) looking at her own, actual,
breasts.

Psyched to make this connection (you have to admit anything that combines
opinions by Kathy Dettwyler and Cathy Bargar has tremendous public education
potential!)

-- Elisheva Urbas, NYC