Jo-Anne Elder-Gomes writes: "I know that when the question of lesbian
mothers breastfeeding has come up, many people have suggested that it would
be preferable for one woman to breastfeed rather than both, in order to
ensure one-on-one bonding. I don't know if the situation is analogous,
since neither partner will be able to develop a supply..."

Just a cultural comment here: Without time to find a reference, I know that
in some societies, women have regularly shared the nursing and nurturing of
each other's children. This is seen, too, among some other species of
mammals. The current Western definition of "mother" is based on an
exclusivity that has not been accepted by all cultures throughout history.
Well, here's a quote and a reference, though not exactly what I'm looking
for:

"Tribal life, the village, the extended family, the female networks of some
cultures, have included the very young, very old, unmarried, and infertile
women in the process of 'mothering'."

This comes from "Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution"
by Adrienne Rich (1986--a revision of her 1976 edition). I find this book
an interesting and challenging read as it questions many culturally based
assumptions (read that assumptions based on the values and structures of
patriarchy) about what motherhood is and must be.

Cynthia

Cynthia Good Mojab, MS, IBCLC, RLC
Ammawell
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web site: http://home.attbi.com/~ammawell

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