Unexpected Breastfeeding Benefits
By Denise Punger MD IBCLC
I am often in awe about what my children can teach me! In trying to keep up with my six-year-old's inquiries
about G-d, I found the book Teaching Your Children about God, by Rabbi David Wolpe. With my secular background,
this book has been empowering to nurture my sons innate curiosity.
One of the activities that the Rabbi suggests to reinforce the notion that we are all children of G-d is
to stand in front of the mirror with your child and ask him, "What features did you get from dad, from mom, and which one
did you inherit from G-d?" My son, William, tells me, "My hair and tan-color skin come from dad. My brain comes from mom.
(Smart kid.)" He wasn't sure yet, what he inherited from G-d, so I suggested to him that his bright eyes, big smile, and beauty
marks came from G-d. This made him so proud.
He likes repeating games especially when the rules get changed just a little. So this time I asked him which
features I got from my mom and dad. He thought for a moment and said, "Oh, I get it. Your night-nights (what
he calls breastfeeding)are from G-d."
It is my turn to be so proud of him. I am glad I have been able to nurse him long enough for him to
have the memories and insight that he does. Children can bring us to powerful places.