Natural
Woman Natural Man
by Jock Doubleday
December 8, 2002
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the second "Reader Response" issue of NWNM Today!
We have received many responses to our issue on breastfeeding. We have published
all of your letters (with permission) in this supplemental issue.
We hope that you will continue to write to
[email protected] with
information, anecdotes, and ideas.
Subsequent issues of NWNM Today will address the following topics:
Vol. 3: CHILDBIRTH
Vol. 4: NATURAL IMMUNITY
Vol. 5: [READERS' VOTE]
Vol. 6: ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
Vol. 7: NUTRITION
Permission is given to all parties to reproduce, post, and distribute all or
any part of this newsletter.
In health,
Jock Doubleday
Director
Natural Woman, Natural Man, Inc.
http://www.gentlebirth.org/nwnm.org
[email protected]
* * *
CORRECTIONS:
Sharon Frigiola sends in this correction notice:
In a message dated 12/5/02 2:24:35 PM,
[email protected] writes:
Dear Jock,
Thank you very much for your articulation on what's right and wrong in our
society with breastfeeding. As a long-time La Leche League leader, I would ask
that you consider the following verbiage when writing about breastfeeding:
Babies do not demand, they CUE. Mothers who breastfeed, breastfeed their babies
based on babies' cues to feed. We need to stop using the term demand with
breastfeeding. Also breastmilk production is based upon STIMULATION once again,
not demand. Stimulation being the sucking of the baby or suction of a pump, not
demand.
I would also like to see cites for your numerical information, such as 97%,
1.5 billion dollars, and 8.3 IQ points. Also, did you know that formula
manufacturers donated most of the money that built the AAP's new
headquarters?
Thanks for all you do to support breastfeeding and for providing this forum for
feedback. Wonderful article with a lot of useful information.
I will be quoting you at my support group and I look forward to the
publication of your book and up-coming e-mails.
Sharon Frigiola
Jock replies to Sharon:
Dear Sharon,
Thanks for the info on cueing and stimulation.
Re: formula manufacturers building AAP hdqtrs. It's like Mobil funding TV
nature shows. It's the best and cheapest PR in the world. Plus, now AAP is
indebted to these manufacturers and will be less likely to let the truth
about formula be known.
Re: studies on breastmilk/breastfeeding IQ:
See Horwood and Fergusson, "Breastfeeding and later cognitive and academic
outcomes," Pediatrics 101(1) (January 1998): 9. Here an 18-year longitudinal
study of over 1,000 children found that those who were breastfed as infants had
both better intelligence and greater academic achievement than children who were
infant-formula fed.
Also, a study of 280 very low birth-weight infants that used the WISC-R to look
at both breast milk feeding and breastfeeding found that increased duration of
breast milk feeding was associated with increases in both verbal IQ and
performance IQ. The authors also found that children breastfed for eight months
or longer had verbal IQ scores that were 10.2 points higher and performance IQ
scores that were 6.2 points higher than scores of children who were not
breastfed. (Horwood, L.J., et al., "Breast milk feeding and cognitive ability at
7-8 years," Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 84 (2001):F23-F27)
See also Lucas, A., "Breast milk and subsequent intelligence quotient in
children born preterm," Lancet 339 (1992):261-262;Morrow-Tlucak, M., et al.,
"Breastfeeding and cognitive development in the first 2 years of life," Soc Sci
Med 26 (1988):635-639; Wang, Y.S. and S.Y. Wu, "The effect of exclusive
breastfeeding on development and incidence of infection in infants," J Hum
Lactation 12 (1996):27-30.
Re: 1.5 billion in costs if we do not increase breastfeeding rates:
Mayer Eisenstein writes:
"A pre-publication study by the Wisconsin State Breastfeeding Coalition
estimated the following health care savings in Wisconsin if breastfeeding
rates were at 75% at discharge�50 % at six months:
$4,645,250/year Acute Otitis Media
$37,120/year Bronchitis
$6,699,600/year Gastroenteritis
$262,440/year Allergies
$758,934/year Asthma
$578,500/year Type I Diabetes (from birth to 18 years)
$17,070,000/year Breast Cancer
$30,984,432/year Total Wisconsin State Yearly Health Cost Savings
The 31 million dollar total health cost savings from breastfeeding would
translate into 1.5 billion dollars in health cost savings for the entire
United States of America."
(Mayer Eisenstein, Safer Medicine, 99-100)
* * *
In a message dated 11/25/02 12:13:33 PM,
[email protected] writes:
I am a La Leche League leader in Central Georgia. I get so upset when I see my
moms fall prey to the advice of their well meaning doctors and nurses.
I am early labor now and expect to have my daughter any day now. I am waiting to
battle the local hospital because they are known for "making" your child have
formula in the hospital.
Part of me wants to shout from the roof tops against the vile money hungry
formula companies, but again I am calmed by the fact breastfeeding is a private
thing.
I told my husband the other night I wish I could go to Washington to lobby to
have formula companies investigated for their ploy on low income families in the
US and abroad.
Again thank you and I look forward to receiving another issue in the future,
Mrs. Angela Harris
LLL of Houston Co, GA
[email protected]
* * *
In a message dated 11/27/02 1:16:38 PM,
[email protected] writes:
Jock,
I just love, love, love the chapter of your book I just read about
breastfeeding!
I love this quote: "If you give birth in the hospital, you give formula
companies a chance to invade your precious baby's body. You give doctors and
nurses the go-ahead to pitch you on the merits of a product that works like slow
poison and tastes like death. You give a sick and sickening culture an unfair
and undeserved advantage over nature, who brought you (and all living things)
into the world without the help of "scientifically formulated" anything."
You are becoming, in my eyes, such an incredible advocate of Natural
childbirth , breastfeeding etc. much like Suzanne Arms and Henci Goer!
I would love to meet you and "talk shop" anytime you're in New Hampshire!
Sincerely, Dayna Martin, AAHCC
www.gentlebeginnings.org
[email protected]
* * *
In a message dated 11/25/02 12:07:49 PM, FINGLIS8 writes:
Thank you so much for the breastfeeding article. I did breastfeed my oldest son
until he was 8 months old. I remember feeling so powerfully about breastfeeding.
Many times I was encouraged to bottle feed but the thought of bottle feeding
filled me with a sense of loss. Thank you again.
Best wishes and respect
Frankie Inglis
[email protected]
* * *
In a message dated 11/30/02 8:13:17 PM,
[email protected] writes:
Thank you so much for your advocacy and for giving us a preview of your
upcoming book.
Regarding the issue of breastfeeding. You may want to write a little more about
the psychological issues that keep women from breastfeeding. This includes
husbands who do not approve for a variety of personal reasons. Also emotional
issues for women that keeps them from enjoying this natural course of nurturing
their babies. They can also be marital related, or earlier trauma in a young
woman's life. These are rarely addressed as it is so easy to just pop a bottle
in the baby's mouth and forget the loss that is perpetuated. Looking forward to
your next issues.
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Giselle
[email protected]
* * *
In a message dated 11/25/02 8:15:41 PM,
[email protected] writes:
Hi Jock,
I have welcomed your newsletters, and am simply thrilled to be in on the
ground-floor of your activism.
I am a formerly breastfeeding mother, as well as a volunteer trained to
assist other breastfeeding moms. I have four children, from toddler to
teen, and have vaccinated only the first one. The first was also the only
one born in hospital, the rest born at home in various rooms of our homes.
The first was in my son's bed (because he was sleeping in my bed), the
second on our bedroom floor, the third on the kitchen floor. Unusual in
this town, but knowing many other homebirthing families, not all that
strange.
Many times I feel up against the world with all of our out-of-sync choices
in our very mainstreamed society. I have a small collection of friends
whorespect, or at least tolerate the decisions we have made for the benefit
ofour family. And, having a home business as well as home school, we don'thave
to deal with the mainstream all that much. But, that changed withSeptember of
this year, when my nine-year old daughter decided to attend public school.
I've had to deal with all the usual crapola ("Isn't it nice that you FINALLY
decided to give your child a QUALITY education" and "Oh, I'd hate to see you
take her out of school for a museum trip, and make her EVEN FURTHER BEHIND!!")
but now we're getting into 3rd grade health classes. Her teacher "helped them"
complete their review sheet, and of their choices for "Name three good health
habits you could practice to make sure your bodies stay healthy and grow
strong," the teacher included: Keep your body clean, get regular checkups and
be vaccinated. Needless to say, I wrote back on the sheet: Wash your hands,
eat healthy foods and get plenty of rest & exercise.
It irritates me that a child who has been healthy her entire life (thanks to
breastfeeding and avoiding vaccinations), has avoided doctors (except when truly
necessary), has never had any medication of any sort, is brainwashed into
thinking that vaccinations are necessary to provide a healthy body.
Jock, I wish you well with your newsletter and your books. I am looking
forward to your upcoming book: "Spontaneous Creation: 101 Reasons Not To Have
Your Baby in a Hospital." Having birthed two of my children in
association with Mayer Eisenstein and HomeFirst, I cannot imagine ever going to
a hospital environ ever again. It stupefies me that anyone would choose the
risk involved in a hospital birth.
It is nice to know there is a community which embraces exactly how I feelabout
risks of medication, hospitalization, vaccination, and other -ations.
Sincerely,
Heather "Sam" Doak
Marietta Ohio
Co-Columnist Healthy Starts/Marietta Times
[email protected]
* * *
In a message dated 11/8/02 5:07:27 PM,
[email protected] writes:
Jock,
I think Cherubs is a great acronym! [�Children Having Everybody Really Upset
'Bout Shots� (www.vaclib.org/chapter/cherubs.htm)]
I was wondering where in NJ it is, since that's where hail from. It's in Summit,
which isn't where I lived, but is where I went to middle school. Small world.
It's a great town.
I used to take the train to school and walk from the station to school
everyday, along with lots of other girls (girls school, no boys). Every so
often I'd stop at the magazine stand, Katz's, and get a copy of the "Mother
Earth News", which is where I got a lot of great ideas. I also went to school
with Ann Mische, who's parents wrote so much on the topic of natural health and
alternative living. Ann was in my sister Anne's class, and they were close
friends.
So much of what I now stand for, started out then, there in Summit NJ. Now I'm
an accomplished passive organic gardener, homeschooling, natural parenting, UC
birthing mom to three.
. . . I do breastfeed, have two nurslings at the moment, ages 1 and 3. My
oldest seems to have completely quit, he's all of 5 now and thinks he's very
grown up.
I would like to make a suggestion. The topics you have planned are all
excellent, and I'm very glad you are covering each and every one of them. I
think circumcision would be a good one to add to the list.
Lotus birth and elimination communication would also make good topics. Sarah
Buckley, who I noticed contributed some comments to your last mailing has lots
to say about these things that are very worth hearing.
Kiley
[email protected]
* * *
In a message dated 10/20/02 9:26:05 AM,
[email protected] writes:
Thanks for your newsletter . . . I look forward to receiving it again soon...
You may be interested in my project for your next issue on
breastfeeding . . . its called "normalizing extended breastfeeding" . . . the
website is listed at the bottom of this message . . .
Thanks!
Laurel Tien
Home Office Tel: 604 535-2892
Home Office Fax: 604 648-9791
email: [email protected]
www.interchange.ubc.ca/latien
Excerpt from Laurel�s article at the above URL:
"Why breastfeed? And why breastfeed past one year of age?"
In the history of breastfeeding, most women have been led to believe that the
infant-feeding decision is merely a matter of personal inclination, and are
unaware that breastfeeding is subject to commercial, economic, societal, and
political pressures. Even though research study after study prove human milk is
superior to artificial formula (for example; Ferguson, D. M. et al.,1987;
Greiner, 1995; Horwood et al., 1998; Morrow-Tlucak et al., 1988; Rohde, 1988;
Shu at al., 1999; Wrigley et al., 1990), the public information available on
breastfeeding is typically insufficient and inaccurate, causing many women
and their families to not be able to make fully informed decisions.
While there is no question that children should be breastfed, the issue of
how long they should be breastfed always provokes lively debate . . .
(http://www.interchange.ubc.ca/latien/infolinks.html)
* * *
Lesley Palmer gives us the low-down on breastfeeding Down Under:
In a message dated 11/27/02 9:37:48 PM, [*****] writes:
In reply to the newsletter on breastfeeding:
Australia is a signatory to the World Health Organisation Code of Marketing
Breastmilk Substitutes. This means that nursing staff must have a mothers
permission to feed breastmilk substitutes to an infant or even to use a dummy
(often misnamed a "pacifier"). No samples of breastmilk substitutes are included
in any take home bags, none is mailed to mothers.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association was founded in 1966, it provides a 7
day a week counselling service to breastfeeding mothers with all trained
volunteer counsellors being themselves mothers who have exclusively breastfed an
infant for 6 months (that is food other than breastmilk is fed).
As a consequence of the work of ABA most hospitals with maternity units have a
Code of Practice relating to the information, support and procedures to
encourage breastfeeding of infants. This includes babies rooming in with mothers
and feeding according to need.
With regard to C- sections I found your information rather pessimistic, there
are times when this procedure is necessary, the key is that mothers should be
informed about the procedure so that can make informed decisions and discuss
options such as pain relief and their desire to breastfeed, with their doctor.
Not only is it possible to successfully
breastfeed after a C-section but it is also possible to keep feeding an older
sibling as well (tandem feeding).
In the first few days the baby receives colostrum not breastmilk until the
milk 'comes in', the frequency of suckling reduces the time for milk to come
in--a definite reason for the baby rooming in. The letdown reflex occurs
primarily due to physical factors such a touching and suckling, although it can
be delayed due to emotions such as fear of pain and stress. The letdown reflex
can also become a 'learned' reflex after a period of time and this is when the
sound of a baby crying or even thinking that the baby will be looking for a feed
soon, is enough to trigger milk to letdown.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association website address is:
www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Lesley Palmer
[email address withheld by request]
* * *
In a message dated 11/25/02 2:09:25 PM,
[email protected]
writes:
Jock:
Since your last (first) newsletter arrived, I've kept it in my "in" box
intending to respond to you. The information you've provided is not only
well written, but well researched and thought out. It is my intention to
reproduce it as well as the breastfeeding articles and add a link to your
site. Thank you so much for being an intelligent voice for so many conscious
parents.
Warmest Regards,
Melinda Olson
Earth Mama Angel Baby
http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/
[email protected]
(Natural and organic herbal pregnancy, labor, postpartum, breastfeeding and
baby care products and information.)
* * *
In a message dated 11/27/02 7:26:47 PM,
[email protected] writes:
Both myself and my brothers were born at home, breast fed and were not given
immunization shots. So far none of us has had any serious illness or health
problems.
We've all had the chicken pox and maybe some form of measles. I remember that
my friend who had the chicken pox at the same time I did (6 years old) had been
given a chicken pox vaccine, she ended up getting the pox twice.
My personal experience makes me think that there is something not quite right
with shots. My question is about shots that we get when we're older. For
example, I got a tetanus shot when I stepped on a rusty nail at age 17. Also,
if you want to travel overseas to certain countries they require certain shots
that are supposed to keep you from getting sick.
What are your thoughts on this? Are these shots any more effective than
the small pox vaccine? Are there potential adverse reactions to the shots?
Thanks for the info!
Salina
[email protected]
Jock replies to Salina's questions:
Re: "overseas shots":
No shots for U.S. citizens, though they may be "mandated," are mandatory. You
can always get an exemption of one kind or another. This is because no govt
wants to later be sued for forcing someone to get a potentially dangerous shot.
Re: tetanus:
Like all vaccines, the tetanus vaccine is bogus. (For information on why
vaccines cannot work, see Ian Sinclair's article at
http://www.vaccinationdebate.com/web4.html)
Regarding tetanus in particular, Ingri Cassel, president of Vaccination
Liberation (www.vaclib.org) writes:
Tetanus is a problem of wound hygiene; not vaccination status.
Tetanus has not been eliminated in this country and is reported to be most
prevalent in nursing homes. It is in these places that bedridden patients
develop decubitus ulcers or bedsores that are not properly cared for. The
tetanus spore thrives in an open wound that has gotten dirty and is deprived of
oxygen.
There is nothing about developing tetanus and recovering that can impart
immunity to this disease. If a person is careless about wound hygiene s/he may
get it again and again regardless of his/her vaccination status.
Wound hygiene consists of cleansing the wound properly and keeping it clean. In
the case of a deep puncture wound, be sure it bleeds and clean it with hydrogen
peroxide. I always stop the bleeding, once cleaned, with 60,000 H.U. or stronger
cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper is a wonderful antiseptic and styptic (equalizes
blood pressure and stops bleeding). If the wound is severe and may require
stitching or surgery, it is good to know about comfrey root powder and basic
natural healing principles.
As with all vaccines, the tetanus vaccine used today is toxic. Leon Chaitow,
author of "Vaccination and Immunization: Dangers, Delusions and Alternatives,"
states that one thousandth part of a milliliter of the broth in which the
tetanus bacillus is grown, is enough to kill a guinea pig if injected into it.
Ingri Cassel, President
Vaccination Liberation - Idaho Chapter
P.O. Box 1444
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816
(208)255-2307/ 765-8421
[email protected]
www.vaclib.org
"The Right to Know, The Freedom to Abstain"
* * *
In a message dated 11/30/02 8:45:56 AM, Alison[***] writes:
Dear Jock,
I'm a mother of five & also a homebirth midwife. I really appreciate your
Natural Woman/Natural Man newsletter. If you would ever want to ask for any
midwives' opinions feel free to contact me. Please let me know when your book is
available!
Thank you,
Alison
* * *
In a message dated 12/1/02 9:51:47 PM,
[email protected] writes:
These are exactly the topics that interest me. Are you familiar with Sandra
Steingraber--a scientist who looks at chemical pollution and cancer and other
health effects. Her latest book is "Having Faith," a record of her pregnancy and
lactation. I feel it is the best book I have read in a long time.
Susan Pelican. CNM
[email protected]
Jock replies to Susan's letter:
I'd like to introduce people to Sandra Steingraber. I've read both of her
books ("Living Downstream" and "Having Faith") and have spent several weeks of
my life inputting key quotes from both of them. Her only fault is that, in
"Having Faith," she subscribes to the scientifically unsupported use of the
rubella vaccine.
Jock
* * *
In a message dated 11/9/02 6:35:06 PM, W SWEET writes:
Hi Jock,
Your Newsletter is WONDERFUL. Thanks so much for it. I eagerly look forward to
the next one. It's a super idea to send out the readers' responses.
I noted that you invite readers' suggestions on the topic for #5. I'd like to
submit "Family Nudity." (Taking showers, baths, spa soaks, lying in the sun
together naked, allowing children to see their parents' nakedness as they get
dressed, undressed, walk around the house, etc. I realize it might not fit into
your theme, if not, I unsubmit. I'd also like to submit "Cortisol and
TV/Computers."
You're really GREAT, Jock. The world is a better place because you are here.
Our love,
Win
[email protected]
[Author, with husband Bill Sweet, of "Living Joyfully with Children," which
currently has a five-star amazon.com customer review rating. --Jock]
* * *
In a message dated 12/6/02 8:38:02 AM,
[email protected] writes:
Dear Jock,
Thanks for NWNM #2.
I have a warning for all parents who pump or are forced to bottlefeed. DO NOT
HEAT BOTTLES IN YOUR MICROWAVE.
Microwaves destroy, rapidly and in 10 seconds or less, Vitamin C from infant
breastmilk and formula. Vitamin C is not produced in the body and must be
supplemented. Our son died and we found out through noted scientists that our
horror was in part, due to a Vitamin C deficiency. Our case and details were
recently published in a medical journal (Medical Hypotheses 2002:59(1)52-6).
Without Vitamin C you get scorbutic conditions which are sub-clinical
(unseen) at first, and fatal. There will never be a microwave in our home.
See this link for an abstract
www.freeyurko.bizland.com/pressrelease.html and
contact me for more info and studies.
Alan R. Yurko
NEW ADDRESS
Alan R. Yurko X13917
Century Correctional Institution
400 Tedder Road
Century, Florida 32535
[email protected]
* * *
Friends,
Each issue of NWNM Today will be followed by a supplemental Reader Response
issue.
Please feel free to write to me at
[email protected] with your questions, concerns, anecdotes, and ideas.
In health,
Jock Doubleday
Director
Natural Woman, Natural Man, Inc.
A California Nonprofit Corporation
http://www.gentlebirth.org/nwnm.org
[email protected]
The information contained in this email is not a substitute for professional
caregiver advice.
Jock Doubleday is the author of the book, Spontaneous Creation: 101 Reasons
Not To Have Your Baby in a Hospital, to be published soon. He is also
active in the international endeavor to bring the dangers of vaccination to
light.
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