In the Sixties NFP materials commonly treated breastfeeding as a problem. A mother was often told to wean in order to practice systematic natural family planning. Unfortunately, this same advice is being given today. We recently received a generous donation from a couple who were upset because an NFP counselor told them to wean their baby in order to practice NFP. This is a step back to the Sixties. I thought NFP promoters today bragged how systematic NFP could be used for all kinds of irregular cycles and situations. So why does a counselor recommend weaning to a nursing mother?
If a mother follows the Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding, she is likely to receive an extended period of infertility. To be sure, she certainly has to go against the culture of bottlefeeding and pacifiers and the pressure to reduce breastfeedings soon after childbirth and to get the baby to sleep through the night, etc., but John and I believe that God’s plan is an option that every couple deserves to know. It needs to be taught to all engaged and married couples. It is a wonderful way to plan a family. It can be the solution for many couples.
In the meantime, what can you do if you want to help someone learn ecological breastfeeding so they can experience a longer duration of breastfeeding’s natural infertility? You can refer them to four sources. 1. Chapter 4 of our online manual, Natural Family Planning. 2. Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing. 3. Chapter Six in Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood, 4. The Catholic Nursing Mothers League.
The Catholic Nursing Mothers League promotes eco-breastfeeding both for duration of breastfeeding and for natural child spacing. As a non-cycling mother of an 20-month-old baby said about CNML: “This group is so exciting for me. I am so passionate about ecological breastfeeding. I look forward to the day when there are groups sprouting up all over and more women learn about God’s plan for mother and baby!”
If you as a mother feel a need to help other mothers in your community or parish with eco-breastfeeding, please contact the founder, Pam Pilch, at the CNML website above.
The medical profession, the churches, and NFP teachers should be teaching eco-breastfeeding as a natural way to space babies. Then groups such as CNML, La Leche League, and the Protestant café breastfeeding support groups will have a busy apostolate supporting and encouraging mothers to keep on breastfeeding.
One-year anniversary! We began our blogging one year ago, April 23. The number of visitors has increased steadily, and this April was no exception. The number of visits per day hit a new record six times and increased by 3000 to almost 13,000 visits. We thank our friend and website developer, David Brecount, for suggesting that we blog a year ago.
Don’t miss this one! It’s a great article on a great subject. Katie Williams did a well researched article on a great subject: “The Madonna Chapel: Helping to Foster the Dignity of Motherhood and Breastfeeding.” Enjoy.
NEXT WEEK: NFPI Manual
Sheila Kippley
NFP International
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood and Natural Family Planning (e-book at this website)