David Custis Kimball - blog

Health, Human Affairs, Medicine, Science

My dad was one of the founding advisors to the LaLeche League.  He was awarded in 1997 the Founder’s Award,  LaLeche League’s highest award and was the 4th recipient since the founding in Franklin Park, Illinois in 1956.  

I filmed his acceptance speech, in which he described helping a mother who suffered from Endrometriosis and could not conceive a child, to breastfeed her adopted child. She did so for over 2 years, during which her symptoms of Endrometriosis disappeared.  After stopping breastfeeding, the symptoms did not reappear and she conceived with her husband a second child.

Breastmilk is so nutritious and efficient, that only about half the volume is required to give the baby complete nutrition.  So fewer diapers, especially poop-pie, increase the pleasure of bonding and being with the baby.  One of the most cruel hoaxes of formula companies (Meade Johnson comes to mind) is that they publish false information that baits the hook with a lie.  ’Of course breastmilk is better,’ they grin; ‘but if baby isn’t making enough diapers, and you feel he might be hungry, a little of our magic garbage is just what you both need.’

And so, the more you feed him, the less milk baby requests from you, and most importantly, the less you produce, until yes, you decide since he stinks anyway, and you have to make this food anyway (or if you have the mother so eager to take control) that you give up and you’re on to the next social function, having deprived yourself and your baby the best experience of his or her lives if not of your own, and saved about $2400 per year in the process.  Nice walking around money in this or any economy.

Breastfeeding gives to the child the legacy of the immune system of the mother.  Even  mothers with Hepititis B are recommended to breastfeed by top doctors who have done the research.  The jury is out on HIV positive mothers as depending on the sucking actions, some blood might  be injested.  Also I have not heard of any conclusive results on Hepititis C.   So I advise you to do your own research.

Many years ago, having visited Fast Buck Freddies in Key West with my wife, and that was BC (Before Children), I bought my dad a breastpocket calendar, and for each month a photo of one individual breast was featured.  I gave it to him for his birthday, thinking I would get some really great reaction of laughter, or shock, or perhaps a mild embarrassment.  Notably, I remember his smile, and then he  turned the pages and showed me each, giving the Latin name for that shape and/or nipple configuration.  I’m still impressed.

I say, let’s get some real exceptance out there.  I think as long as the breast is in pursuit of its natural purpose, there can be no issue about its display. It is one of the best things a mother can do for her child, both as infant, extending to adulthood.

As a passing comment and plug for my dad’s book, ‘Parents in Positive Control’, published by myself in 1987, he was asked ’ When should I stop breastfeeding?’

Dad’s answer was that when your child goes to his friend, brings he or her home and says to the friend in the presence of mom, ‘Yea, try some … it’s really good.’

That’s when you really need to switch it off and start the apple juice.

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