Tuesday, April 22, 2008

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Feel free to post your comments on the FLDS children's right to breast milk here.
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13 comments:

emily said...

I think it is abusive and especially neglectful to the infants to be forcibly removed from their mothers who were breastfeeding them. Judge Walthers comment that everyday breastfeeding Texan mothers who end their maternity leave and go back to work must also leave their breastfed infants is NOT LOGICAL. Where did she go to law school? Did she miss logic class? Hello! Normal situations where a breastfeeding mother goes back to work usually still are situations where the mom trusts and knows who her baby's caregiver will be while she is at work. Secondly, in such instances the mother only works 4 to 8 hours a day and still gets to come home and breastfeed her infant and pump at work if she chooses. Lastly, her infant is NOT REMOVED from its home, and may well continue in an environment familiar and comfortable to her at the time her mother's maternity leave is over. Often this is a family member that is caring for the baby.
Judge Walther-hear my words: What you did to those FLDS babies and mothers IS Abusive and Neglectful! You should recuse yourself. You have an obvious bias against the breastfeeding mothers! They are not harming their infants if they are breastfeeding them. A breastfed infant who shows no sign whatsoever of being in danger of abuse nor of having been abused has the legal right to remain with his mother.
The mothers are in danger of loosing there milk if they must wait a few months to get their babies back! Leave all the breastfed infants with their mothers.

Julie said...

I agree with the previous poster's comments. As a mom who works full time and is nursing a 21 month old, I was enraged to see Judge Walther's rationale. To deny these babies their mother's milk is irresponsible. I am appalled at the lack of concern for the most basic health needs of these infants. Shame on Judge Walther for not ensuring the most critical needs of these innocent ones are met.

Ruth said...

The latest news about the breastfeeding moms is definitely disturbing. Like so many other mothers across the nation, I have been following the news stories about the raid on this strange religious sect called the FLDS who practice lifestyles that, upon inspection, I obviously do not agree with or condone. Today I saw a site called captivefldschildren.org that has some heart rending pictures of the raid on this reportedly peaceful group of people. As odd and unacceptable as their way of life may seem to me, though, some of the actions by local government authorities to try to save these people from their errant ways seem even more disturbing. Most alarming so far is the news of young mothers being forcibly separated from their toddlers and infants, even those babies who are still breastfeeding, which account for perhaps dozens in the group.

I respectfully but vehemently disagree with anyone who suggests that separating these infants from their mothers at this point in their lives will somehow prevent potential abuse within their society down the road. We all want these people, particularly these girls, to be strong, free, and happy, and we stand by efforts to fully investigate and put a stop to any kind of abuse within their society. But forcibly separating unweaned babies from their nursing mothers is like throwing the baby out with the bath water. It is not only unnecessary, but counterproductive to the welfare of all involved.

How can we possibly justify substituting one form of abuse (alleged underage marriages within their sect), with another form of abuse -- the emotional and physical abuse of ripping these babies away from their mothers? Two wrongs don’t make a right. How can we, in the name of emancipation, justify enforcing a new kind of oppression on these innocent women and children? No one wants to see people abused in ANY way, by ANY society, including our own American society as a whole. If these women and children are truly innocent according to the laws of our land, then where are their rights? Why are they the ones who seem to be suffering the most in all of this?

The fact remains that infants need both their mothers' milk and their mothers' hands-on love. It seems there are many people in positions of authority in our country who do not fully grasp, appreciate, or respect the significance of breastfeeding, of the mother-infant bond, or indeed, of motherhood itself.

As American mothers watching these proceedings, we collectively cringed when children age five and older were forcibly separated from their mothers. Yet we remained silent during their suffering, believing that it was for the greater good, that authorities needed to be sure they were getting unbiased testimony from these children. But separating children age four and under from their mothers crosses a line. It cannot be rationalized as good or even necessary in this situation. It is merely a matter of convenience for authorities, at far too great an emotional and physical cost to the innocent. As American mothers, we can no longer remain silent.

Anonymous said...

I comment on Walther's pathetic wisdom on my blog.

Mike Spackman said...

I agree with what has been said. The only thing I want to add, is whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? As of yet there is no proof that these infants were in an abusive situation, and it is terrible that they're being treated like criminals. I don't condone what they do, but my heart goes out to these infants, mothers, and all of the children, and my prayers are for them as well.

Unknown said...

i have nursed 10 babies and i have had dozens of grandchildren who have been nursed. depriving these babies of their mothers and the mothers milk is criminal and the nation needs to rise up and protest.i am ashamed that this is happening in america..land of the free! is there anyone collecting money to help in this cause?

Aimee said...

I can't believe this decision. I am the mom of a newborn and can't imagine an outside person not only separating me from my newborn, but then forcing me to stop breastfeeding. This will be devastating for both the babies and the mothers. They will be mentally and now also physically marked for this ruling. I found the judges comments about women returning to work after 6 weeks of maternity completely off point and utterly insensitive.

I am distressed by how the FLDS faith live their lives, but an infant shouldn't be denied good health because of the faith he/she was born into.

Heather H said...

I too agree with the previous posts. Those little babies did not do anything wrong and should not be forced to stop nursing. I do not see any reason why the state couldnt have take the men into custody and left the children on the compound with the women under supervision. I cant imagine being forced to hand over my children like they have.

SJ said...

Is there an address or phone number we can use to make our comments heard in that legal community? This is an outrageous abuse of power, regardless of any legitimate concerns there may be about teenage girls and inappropriate sex. We are talking about BABIES!! How can the CPS and legal authorities COMPOUND the problem so thoughtlessly? Good God.

Jennifer said...

The judges comment about many women going back to work after 6 weeks doesn't mean that these women are doing what is BEST for their babies.

I went back to work after 12 weeks and am still breastfeeding 5 1/2 months later. I pump while I am at work to make sure my daughter receives the best possible nutrition.

The state has overstepped it's protective boundaries.

Anonymous said...

I think it is just plain wrong. It's not as if they're going to abuse the children, they want to nurse their babies.
I am a nursing mother and I find it disgusting that the govt. is allowing such an offense against the very same babies they claim they are trying to help. What help can they offer a crying baby better than the love of their mother?? The solution is not to bottle feed these poor infants and toddlers. The solution is to get off their high horses and allow these mothers to return to their babies before it's too late.
The guy on tv said that Texas is all about keeping families together, and I think they should keep their word. Otherwise, permanently weaning these children goes out as a sign that they at the CPS board truly do not plan on returning any of these children to their parents. Something that should have been done already.

Louisa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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