In a message dated 2/26/01 9:28:02 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> Studies have shown that there is an overall IQ difference between
> people who were breastfed and those who were not.  It doesn't mean
> that if you breastfeed you are guaranteed a child who will be a
> Rhodes scholar and if you don't your child will automatically need
> remedial education.  What it does mean in that not breastfeeding
> gives more odds of not having as great a potential as those who were
> breastfed.  The same with the help of the "mothering hormones".
> They help a mom respond more positively to her infant.  It doesn't
> mean that just because you breastfeed you will automatically win a
> "Mother of the Year" award or that if you bottlefeed Social Services
> will automatically be at your doorstep.  It means there is an
> "edge", a shift of the odds.
>
> I have found that since I have taken this approach I have not gotten
>

Winnie,
I really like what you say here. May I borrow this to pass on to expectant
parents in  classes & to other nurses that I work with?
As another example of people who don't really see the value of certain
practices:
a nurse with a surgical background & now working mother-baby never heard of
Marshall Klaus or Kennel & Klaus's research in Mother-Infant Bonding/
Parent-infant Bonding nor any of Klaus more recent work. She asked, "Do you
really think that this bonding makes a difference? I didn't get to bond with
my mother immediately after birth & I think that I am well adjusted." I
answered that it all starts with bonding at birth & continues from there.
She's not convinced. This is also one who thinks that moms need a good
night's sleep & will feed the breastfeeding babies formula during the night.

Laura Hart
Winter Park, FL

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