If it were *my* lecture to give, Mira, I would start off by talking about
how -- evolutionarily and still in most of the world today and for most of
human history -- the only circumstances under which a mother would not be
breastfeeding following the birth of a child would be if the child had died.
I would talk about the importance of the mothering hormones that come from
breastfeeding, and how if they really want to know how to help mothers dry
up their milk immediately postpartum, then you need another two hour session
to ALSO talk about the risks of post-partum depression from inadequate
oxytocin (while still having to cope with a newborn) and talk about the need
to support the mother, perhaps with parenting lessons, or just someone to
keep a close eye on the pair until it is clear that the mother is OK taking
care of a bottle-feeding baby while her body is hormonally grieving the
death of that same infant.

Kathy Dettwyler