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Kassandra Stockmann's avatar

Helen Joyce is so smart and articulate. I have often said that seeing someone successfully refute her arguments is my standard for admitting I was wrong about biological realism and thus far no one has come close. I am so glad that you had her on again. And as some who successfully breastfeed my two children for almost twelve months in the 2010s I appreciate hearing from Marion about the women who paved the way forward here. I am fortunate that I had so much support and that breastfeeding came naturally due to the work of Marion and others and it is shameful what has happened.

I think many women have a strong drive to nurse their babies. For me nursing was the easiest way to sleep at night and especially with my oldest, who is a fall baby, I would cuddle and nap and feed him during those cold days. He is autistic with severe speech delays but unlike a lot of autistic kids he sleeps well through the night, so perhaps the breastmilk gave him an edge in knowing when wake time is and when sleep time is, and I think this also helps him to emotionally regulate well.

I am grateful for the work that Marion and others have done and it saddens me that more people are not listening to her years of wisdom.

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