BEN

Ben book 6 (Danse Toujours!) is out in stores now! Click on the image to link to Amazon.ca!

In the news today:

MONTREAL – They rolled in with strollers and preschoolers in tow to show their support for a South Shore woman who was asked to leave a downtown children’s clothing store this month because she was breastfeeding her infant daughter.

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Nurse+transforms+shopping+mall/4136592/story.html

Back in 1996, in the very same city of Montreal (our hometown as well as home to our beloved Habs, the Montreal Canadiens hockey team), a feed-in happened for the same reason. Ann Martin was a Montreal woman who was told by a security guard at Westmount Square to cover up when she was nursing her 3-month-old daughter. Those events inspired Daniel to eventually create a storyline he called “Breast is Best”, in part because I am an absolute proponent of nursing, having nursed all my 4 children, and was one of the lucky moms who was able to continue to nurse well past the 6 month period when most mothers stop.

I was able to do this because of several factors. I worked from home even then, so I didn’t have to worry about pumping milk. My mother-in-law also showed support, although in the beginning she had the usual worries of that generation who had their babies when infant formula was considered superior. But she saw the kids were healthy and thriving, so after each birth she came to the hospital armed with baskets or fruit, nuts and yogurt, something I still appreciate to this day. And of course my own mother helped me so much during those first crucial 2 months. She made me nourishing soups and stews and did the laundry and looked after the other kids and always encouraged me in my attempts to breastfeed. She never made me feel like I shouldn’t be doing this, and when you are a vulnerable mom who always worries if you are doing the right thing, this was hugely reassuring.

And finally, my own husband Daniel, was supportive from the beginning. 17 years ago he had the usual concerns about whether the baby was getting enough nourishment, but he saw I was determined and so stayed by my side throughout it all. Just little gestures like making sure I was comfortable in the bed and had the right amount of pillows, bringing me food and drinks, and most importantly, not being upset that he wasn’t able to bottle feed his own babies.

My kids were very healthy (knock on wood) with only Alec having 2 ear infections in his first 5 years (the others never did, even till now) and a minimum of colds and flus.

I am not against bottle feeding in the least, and can’t say for sure that my kids are healthier because they breastfed. But I am all for women being comfortable in their choices, and this includes making sure those who bottle feed don’t end up being made to feel guilty for doing that. It’s the same thing as working women VS stay-at-home moms. Why does one situation have to be better than the other? Both have a place in this world, and it’s important that all women stick together on these issues of personal choice and not try to make one way better or worse.

If you look at the comments in that article, already I see the cattiness coming out.
“Why not fill a bottle with your milk before you go out in public? What are you trying to prove here.”
“The store has appologized and taken steps to ensure this won’t happen again.. What more do you want? Free diapers and a changing station in every mall, every 20 feet?!”

Sometimes I wish women wouldn’t turn on each other like this.

Anyway, enjoy Daniel’s series “Breast is Best”!

Ben book 5 (A deux, c’est mieux!) is out in stores now! Click on the image to link to Amazon.ca!