I don't have the ref. but it was in a psych. journal some yrs back, title : A Modest Proposal For Adolescent Mothers (with what the authors no doubt felt was an idea almost Swiftian in its radicalness). They suggested just what Nancy Williams and other writers have been posting: Teens need to complete the task of integrating their maternal role in a protected time frame so they can bond with their babies appropriately. They describe the tendency for other family members and society to rush these young mothers back to school (which typically they don't finish) or to work (in dead-end jobs.) Grandma raises baby while its little and cute. Toddlers are 'returned' to teen mom almost as strangers. Teen mom hasn't put in the time learning to cue to her baby and the attachment is weak. This leaves mother and child very vulnerable to abuse/neglect/abandonment. The art. suggests that the tendency of teens to rapidly become preg again is not ignorance, but a desire to 'get it right' in terms of finding a way to have the experience satisfy some of the deeply felt needs they have to have someone who loves them best in their lives. We who have enjoyed the adoration of our babies at our breasts can certainly relate to that. I agree with the idea and always mention it when I lecture about teen moms. Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSE, IBCLC priv pract. Austin, Tx PS I spent the weekend in Cleve. visiting my mom. It snowed and blowed and froze me half to death. I got off the plane in Austin and felt that warm wind and wanted to kiss the tarmac. The flowers are still blooming here!