Almost three decades ago I was a breastfeeding counsellor for a national organisation here in Australia. Apart from telephone counselling and running group discussions, I would also speak at "Basics of Breastfeeding" classes, usually for first time parents, at the local hospital. In those classes I would discuss the common concerns of most mums to be. I tried to impart confidence and factual information to prepare them for whatever challenges may lie ahead with their newborn babe. In my own way I was doing the best I could with what I had; a group of people I'd never met before, some basic physiology and lots of vain humanist philosophies and feminist ideas. I didn't know much better myself back then!
What a blessing it was to discover that God has much better ideas for teaching us His ways concerning mothering and breastfeeding! The Bible actually gives us all the information and encouragement we need and I no longer associate myself with the organisation with which I trained, as they have always considered it "unethical" for their counsellors to discuss their own spiritual beliefs. I must say, however, that I am sure in the area of emotional and physical support to women and families, they would put many churches to shame!
14 Yet Jerusalem says,
“The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.”
15 “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:14-16
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
An Introduction
Fifteen years ago I wrote a little booklet with a similar title to this blog, "The Basics of Biblical Breastfeeding". It was published in a magazine for Christian women called "Welcome Home Australia".
Recently I have been reading so much about the Bible being used in a negative way in regard to the feeding, care and nurture of tiny babies. There are a couple of books around that I find alarming, and even Facebook pages devoted to this misguided and destructive style of parenting.How self proclaimed Christian people in "ministry" can teach such things is impossible for me to imagine, but I must assume they do not know the same loving merciful Lord I do!
Then there are the baby whisperers and nannies, all apparently "experts" with many fans. Most of these people aren't saying they are Christian, and that's just as well!
It's all quite confusing for new parents, who do you listen to, how do they know what is best for YOUR baby, who to believe and why believe them? All good questions from intelligent people.
I guess my great concern is for Christian parents and this is whom I will address in this blog although all are welcome to join me.
I will publish my booklet here, in parts, and create a forum for comments and further discussion in more blog posts.
I look forward to sharing with you, hearing your thoughts and comments and also hearing about your own experiences and in all things, above all, giving the glory to God. All scriptures I use are from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible available online at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/
and here is the first one to launch this new blog, from Isaiah 66
11 Drink deeply of her glory
even as an infant drinks at its mother’s comforting breasts.”
12 This is what the Lord says:
“I will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity.
The wealth of the nations will flow to her.
Her children will be nursed at her breasts,
carried in her arms, and held on her lap.
13 I will comfort you there in Jerusalem
as a mother comforts her child.”
I can only assume from scriptures like this, that breastfeeding is a blessing and that babies are to be fed, held and comforted.
Looking forward to sharing this new journey with you
love
Lynn xx
Recently I have been reading so much about the Bible being used in a negative way in regard to the feeding, care and nurture of tiny babies. There are a couple of books around that I find alarming, and even Facebook pages devoted to this misguided and destructive style of parenting.How self proclaimed Christian people in "ministry" can teach such things is impossible for me to imagine, but I must assume they do not know the same loving merciful Lord I do!
Then there are the baby whisperers and nannies, all apparently "experts" with many fans. Most of these people aren't saying they are Christian, and that's just as well!
It's all quite confusing for new parents, who do you listen to, how do they know what is best for YOUR baby, who to believe and why believe them? All good questions from intelligent people.
I guess my great concern is for Christian parents and this is whom I will address in this blog although all are welcome to join me.
I will publish my booklet here, in parts, and create a forum for comments and further discussion in more blog posts.
I look forward to sharing with you, hearing your thoughts and comments and also hearing about your own experiences and in all things, above all, giving the glory to God. All scriptures I use are from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible available online at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/
and here is the first one to launch this new blog, from Isaiah 66
11 Drink deeply of her glory
even as an infant drinks at its mother’s comforting breasts.”
12 This is what the Lord says:
“I will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity.
The wealth of the nations will flow to her.
Her children will be nursed at her breasts,
carried in her arms, and held on her lap.
13 I will comfort you there in Jerusalem
as a mother comforts her child.”
I can only assume from scriptures like this, that breastfeeding is a blessing and that babies are to be fed, held and comforted.
Looking forward to sharing this new journey with you
love
Lynn xx
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