Posted only because it has been a subject of interest to some on the flist

[bryree]

This is primarily a signal boost for the mothers on my flist who are interested in the discussion. I'm sure not everyone will agree with it and I have no opinion as such, but it seemed an interesting entry into the debate.http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/

Comments

[thedragonweaver]

She doesn't seem too rabid on the subject, which is usually the big red flag that somebody's not worth listening to. And she makes good points which will no doubt be misinterpreted.

I love this:"Before you close your mouth on a forkful of food, consider, ‘Is this the best bite I can give my baby?’ If it will benefit your baby, chew away. If it’ll only benefit your sweet tooth or appease your appetite put your fork down.” To which any self-respecting pregnant woman should respond: “I am carrying 35 extra pounds and my ankles have swelled to the size of a life raft, and now I would like to eat some coconut-cream pie. So you know what you can do with this damned fork.”
I specifically did not pick up What To Expect When You're Expecting because it looked like the kind of heavy-handed, proscriptive hypochondriac's diary that I hate. This quote bears that out.

Incidentally, the lactation expert at the hospital talked about how you get very, very hungry when you're a breastfeeding mother, and how important it is to grab some calories. "The good healthy stuff," I said, and she said, "If you're hungry, just get some food in you. There's no such thing as bad calories. Chocolate's just fine." This hospital has the highest rates of successful breastfeeding in new mothers in the city. I think I can see why. :D