I would birth at a freestanding birth center, which provided free copies of Mothering to clients. When our baby was born, we ordered our own subscription, along with wonderful back issues. We have adapted our life choices to the newly gained insight found in and through your publication. What a treasure!

JULIA B.

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I wrote this poem one night before bed while playing with our very awake six-month-old, Odin. My wife, Celia, and I laughed so much that we wanted to share it.

Eenie Meenie Minie Moe,

I want the one with the best flow. I don’t care if it’s left or right,

I just want to nurse all night.

BRONSON P. BULLOCK Raleigh, North Carolina

NAPTIME NEXUS

My wife, Heather, and I subscribe to Mothering, and we love it. Our baby girl, Bodi, is now 21 months old. I am a photographer and recently took this picture of her breastfeeding.

BARD AZIMA

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ROSIN’S WARPED VIEW

After reading Peggy O’Mara’s editorial “Case Closed: Breast Is Best” (May–June 2009), on Hanna Rosin’s April 2009 Atlantic article, “The Case Against Breast-Feeding,” I was curious, and read Rosin’s article for myself. I was horrified! I do not consider myself one of those chic, wealthy, overeducated mothers [to whom Rosin refers]. I just follow my instincts and feed my o;spring my milk. I work part-time and have nursed continuously since my daughter was born. I, of course, understand Rosin’s point, but I can’t understand why she would advocate for formula. On every container I have investigated, even the more natural brands, the ingredients list sugar or corn syrup. Why don’t we get them started on the path to diabetes and obesity young?

As for Rosin’s negative tallies regarding making a decision to nurse or not—e.g., “modesty, independence, career, sanity”—I have to say, please stop playing martyr and get over yourself. I’m not convinced that modesty (ho-hum) and a career are all they are cracked up to be. Nothing meaningful, beautiful, or heartening comes without struggle. All of life has its di;culties and sorrows, along with amazingly beautiful and wondrous moments. The choice we must make is to be gracious about it all and know that the pendulum always swings back and forth.

NICOLE BARTHOLOMEW

Portland, Oregon

The Atlantic article by Hanna Rosin was a disservice to millions of American women who wish to breastfeed their infants and are seeking accurate information on breastfeeding and its benefits. This article is poorly written, inaccurate, and devoid of substance. Furthermore, the article is an example of poor public knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding. It reveals the need for public education about these benefits, as in the rest of the world, through public-service announcements on television, radio, billboards, and in newspapers. Mothers need to make intelligent decisions regarding their newborns’ feeding. With the exception of Baby Friendly Hospitals, our

If you would like to respond to any of the writers of “Your Letters,” please write, fax, or e-mail us, and we will forward your letter. We will also consider it for publication unless you indicate otherwise. Remember to include your full address so that we can send you responses in the event your letter is published. Letters are condensed and edited for clarity, but this is a readers’ forum; we do not censor topics addressed in “Your Letters.” Write to Your Letters, PO Box 1690, Santa Fe, NM 87504; fax: 505.986.8335; e-mail: letters@mothering.com. We do not pay for images published in the “Your Letters” section.

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