Amen to the statement that babies wake up for more than feeds - and so do
grown-ups!

For over 2 months my husband has been in CA and I in Puerto Rico.  Now, I
know very well that millions of women have survived separation from their
spouses for many more terrible reasons (war, financial necessity, etc.) -
but that does not help in the middle of the night when he is not there.
After 30 years of marriage and various separation due to employment this is
still not an easy thing.  And I am aware of the reasons for the absence and
the fact that this is a temporary situation.

So - translate that to an infant or child who does not understand, in the
middle of the night, why mom and dad are not nearby.  For an infant, mom
does not exist if she is not within touching, smelling, seeing distance.
For the child, fears are very real as they go through the nightmares and
night terrors some little ones suffer.

If we can reduce their stress by simply being available - WHY NOT?

How we wish when they are older we could solve their problems so easily!
(Carol just lost her battle to be considered a Colorado resident this
semester and will need to borrow over $4,000 more to cover out of state
tuition this semester or drop out and delay her graduation.)



Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC, LLLL
mailto:[log in to unmask]
Project Director - Proyecto Lacta - Puerto Rico
http://netdial.caribe.net/~prlacta/
Lactancia Materna '98 - La Mejor Inversion