Ann, in response to your note:

> I have one point about extended breastfeeding in public and my
>personal take on the climate in our state.  I do NOT allow my son (almost
>three) to nurse in public (unless I personally know the opinion of everyone
>sitting there) bc I am terrified for him and me that the "remove the
>children now, ask questions later" "potection" services people will yank him
>for 24-48 or more hours.

I realize what you fear - but I am not aware of any children actually
removed from the home while they investigate these cases. Every one I was
involved in the child was not removed.

And, social service agencies federal funding is dependent on finding
alternatives for placement. I used to worry about this myself before I
learned what really happened in the Syracuse case. I would come up with
acceptable alternatives to show my child was safe while they investigated.
Even if I had to hire someone to supervise me.

However, over the years I have realized that this risk is SO SMALL you
wouldn't believe it. Usually, the issue only arises because the mother is
reported for something else. Then, it is usually cleared up quickly and
easily by providing information about breastfeeding.

>        It is my understanding that this has indeed happened and a mom I was
>in contact with two years ago was told by her social worker to wean at 11
>months or they would take the child and charge her with sexual abuse. Right
>or wrong, true or false I am not willing to take that risk, no matter how
>abtract.

What a scarey situation for the mother! And probably an idle threat from the
case worker. Note she didn't take the kid, but threatened it. If I was the
mother, I'd have that case worker on the phone with my pediatrician
immediately - and I would have in her hands copies of the Innocenti
Declaration - and Mothering Your Nursing Toddler -

I can understand the fear. And each of us needs to realisticallly look at
what we feel comfortable with. Some of us might not want to nurse our
toddlers in public just because we don't want to hear comments others may make.

However, I hate to see mothers making this decision because they are
operating from a base of fear. I know that more people in NY were affected
by this fear because of the Syracuse case. But again, I do not know ANY that
were removed for extended breastfeeding. Regardless of the age.

Liz Baldwin
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