European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 22, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Viola Lennon one of the founding mothers of la leche league International with conference coordinator Leesa Foster in Niernberg West Germany. A from Page 16 the area coordinator for la leche league of Germany. Most medical authorities consider breast milk the perfect food for babies but infants in most modern cultures will also thrive on formula. Quot formula is an adequate substitute Quot Marjama said. Quot we consider breast milk the Superior infant food. But breastfeeding has a lot to do with mothering. We be even had some mothers come to meetings who do not Lennon recalls when she was the Only one at social functions who was nursing a baby. Quot i d have to excuse myself to take care of the baby because people showed such disdain. Quot i hated that feeding of the baby in the bathroom Quot she said. A study published in paediatrics Magazine in 1985 indicated that More than 60 percent of american new mothers initiated breast feeding. What brings Lennon the most Joy now she said is that women nursing discreetly in Public Are Well accepted. The womanly Art of breastfeeding is available at stars and stripes bookstores. Those wishing More information about la leche league can Call Leesa Foster in Butzbach West Germany at 06033-63602 or write to la leche league International . Box 1209, Franklin Park Iii. 60131-8209. Matthew Allen 11 months old breast milk is the perfect food for infants but in most Modem cultures they will also thrive on formula medical authorities poses a management problems Rory and Lenore Dimore of Kaiserslautern West Germany say that breast feeding is working out just Fine for their 11-month-old son Alexander. It keeps him healthy and they All like it say the couple who keep the baby near or in their own bed at night. Quot its in his Best interest Quot said Rory Dimov at a recent european conference of la leche league an organization that promotes natures most Basic Way to feed babies. Many mothers give up attempting to breast feed their babies when they Are faced with difficulties la leche contends. They Are told Quot they done to have enough milk Quot they get sore or they get just Plain exhausted. The practical management of breast feeding takes patience and encouragement even under the Best of circumstances say those in the league. But today women face additional complications of careers changing lifestyles and the Ever present raising of eyebrows. Joann Moore one of the mothers attending the conference was an army Captain and a nurse. She left Active duty when she decided that she could t Combine her career with nurturing her babies the Way that she wanted. Quot i had you would think considerations because i was a nurse Quot she said. The Hospital setting where she worked provided her with a clean environment she said. Quot you a think i had an advantage Over some ladies who have to go out into the Field. Quot some ladies i knew wanted to nurse their babies but because of sanitation conditions and just being out in the Woods it just was t very conducive to pumping a which is what they would have had to she explained that working mothers can continue to breast feed their babies by pumping and storing their milk so the baby can take it from a bottle when they Are separated. It s not uncommon today for office workers to be greeted by a sign left by a working nursing Mother in the office refrigerator that says Quot do not drink this milk it is Only for but the pumping and storing requires a regular routine said Moore and As a nurse she had to work shifts. When she was pregnant with her second baby she left the army. That was three years ago and now she a nursing her third child. A family is her career for now she said and she spends her time caring for her children and sharing information at league meetings. Malgozata Zoko Pone was unsuccessful at nursing her first baby. Quot i thought i missed something very special Quot she said and regretted that she did not have a group like the league to offer help when she needed it. Quot i have to breast feed. Its one of the goals of my life Quot she said she told herself when her second child came along. That time she found encouragement from a group that fostered natural childbirth and things went a lot better. The 30-year-old Mother from Kinga Poland said in her country professionals in the hospitals and clinics do not encourage breast feeding. Only about 10 percent of the mothers nurse their babies after the first three months and books Are hard to find. She was at the conference to share and bring Back information for her own organization the association for natural childbirth and breast feeding. Sometimes it Only takes a look of disapproval to discourage a Mother from breast feeding. Quot it was through sheer will and determination on my own that i got the Hospital to do what i wanted Quot said Leesa Foster the Mother of 2-year-old twins. Quot they used to Call me the milk lady a she said when she brought her milk to be kept Frozen and later warmed for her twins who remained in the Hospital after she was discharged. Since they were released from the Hospital she said they Haven to needed to go Back a Quot not a single ear Marillyn Starr from Hahn West Germany was one of the mothers at the conference who was breastfeeding an adopted baby. Thomas 13 months is her third adopted son and the third that she has attempted to nurse by Means of a formula supplement. She also received disapproving glances at the Start but mostly from people who did not understand her need to form a biological As Well As a psychological Bond with her sons she said. Without the encouragement of the league she said she would t have been Able to continue. A Effie Bath Friday june 22, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 17
