The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 48, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 November 1986 — Page 16

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., November 26,1986

16

ByTAMRAB. ORR Guest Feature Writer

A small, but growing number of parents are going back to the oldfashioned methods of childcare, starting with birth in the home, usually under the guidance of a midwife, and continuing with a family bed and breastfeeding, often for a prolonged time. Since these methods have lost their popularity with our culture, these families may be considered religious fanatics, radicals, or just plan nuts. Yet, well-known pediatricians, such as Robert Mendolsohn and William Sears, have come out in strong agreement with these concepts. Why are they undergoing this revival? Home birth has taken a beating from the media, but newly analyzed studies are showing that it is safer than was originally thought. (Previous studies were in error as they included nonplanned, unattended, emergency births in their statistics.) Dr. Robert Mendolsohn, in his book “How to Have a Healthy Child ... In Spite of Your Doctor,” says, “Having your baby at home is less risky than going to the hospital because much of the most dangerous technology employed in hospitals is not available to doctors or midwives who deliver babies at home. This reduces the opportunity for needless, hazardous intervention and virtually assures that you will be permitted to have your baby naturally, as God intended you should.” Why isn’t home birth more popular then? The reasons are many. The majority of physicians oppose home birth, despite the new findings because they feel it is taking unnecessary risks with the mother and child. Obtaining medical back-up and prenatal care can be quite difficult. Midwives are not easy to find and often a couple is forced to choose the only, instead of the best. Some couples may want a home birth but are dissuaded by unsupportive family, friends, or spouse. Along with these factors, home births carry the risk that if something goes wrong, the mother will have to be transported to a hospital quickly. It requires a determined couple to overcome all of these elements. What are the couple’s reasons? The parents who choose home birth seem to have a different attitude towards childbirth, seeing it as a natural part of life, not as a traumatic, medical event. The majority of them attend childbirth education courses and are quite prepared mentally and physically. They enter into childbirth with joy and relaxa-

Yoder leaving Grace College

Dr. Vance A. Yoder, academic dean at Grace College in Winona Lake, has notified the college administration that he will be leaving the college at the end of the current academic year. Dr. Yoder said that in recent months he has been pursuing several other potential positions and ministries and that he has decided to move in one of those directions when this academic year ends. “Grace has been a very special place for me and my family,” and we cherish our many associations here,” Dr. Yoder said. “We pray that the Lord will bless the college and seminary in its

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Old fashioned parenting

tion, not fear and anxiety, focusing not on the possible discomfort but on their intrinsic and fundamental abilities to birth a baby. One mother of three went from an anesthetized birth in the hospital to a natural childbirth in the hospital and then to a home birth. She stated that, “People must realize that not everyone who has a home birth does it irresponsibly. Many of us, including myself, have good prenatal care, good nutrition, medical back up and a qualified midwife. I wanted a home birth,” she explained, “because when you are in the hospital, you are treated like you are sick. And, I don’t consider having a baby a sickness!” Another mother who gave birth a few weeks ago in her home said that this birth was a vast improvement over her first one two years ago in the hospital. “It was quite special to have our son born into the arms of his family,” she said. Another parent said, “High risk births belong in the hospital. But low risk births, which most of them are, belong in the home, far away from harmful monitors, dangerous drugs and endless interference.” Dr. Mendelsohn agrees. “There is ample evidence that the medical technology, drugs, anesthetics, surgery, and other obstetrical slings and arrows employed in most hospitals expose mothers and babies to needless risk. They have a frightening potential for inflicting severe, even life threatening, damage on you and also on your child,” he states. One father said that he and his wife chose home birth because they wanted a truly natural birth. “With a home birth,” he explained, “you get a real opportunity to see birth as it was meant to be — warm, personal, not clinical. As a father,” he continued, “I was able to be far more involved with our birth and since I was right there, I have felt a closer bond and deeper sensitivity for my daughter.” Breast-feeding is also making a comeback. Yet, because of the medical support of formula feeding, plus the increase in new mothers returning to their jobs, bottle feeding is still done routinely. While breast-feeding has been generally acknowledged by the medical community as the superior nutrition for an infant, many doctors do not encourage mothers to nurse and most hospitals send free bottles home with the new mothers. Even the doctor’s standard growth charts are based on bottle fed children, making breast-fed children sometimes appear abnormal. Many women choose not to breast-feed because they have

ministry of education. ” Responding to Dr. Yoder’s notice, Grace College president Dr. John J. Davis said, “Dr. Yoder has provided more than 16 years of distinguished service to Grace College, first as a professor and then for 13 years as academic dean. He was instrumental in the regional accreditation of Grace College and has played an important role in many of its improvements. “Dr. Yoder is a man of integrity and careful organization. We respect his decision to continue his academic career elsewhere and wish him well. ’ ’

false information about milk supply, consistency and their own abilities to nurse. Others choose not to because they realize it entails a dedication to their children that can be both exhausting and frustrating. Nursing mothers are the only ones who can feed their infants, they need to stay with their babies almost constantly, night feedings are more likely to continue with breast-fed children, and repeatedly the mother’s wants are sacrificed for the infant’s needs. Some women do not see this dedication as a disadvantage. “I am a better mother for breast-feeding,” said one mother of four. “If I had bottle fed, I know that I would have left the children more often and not been as aware of their needs.” The women who do choose to breast-feed do so for various reasons. “For my child’s health, of course!” exclaimed one. Another said, “It’s so easy! It’s always right there, at the right temperature, sterile, and just the right amount.” Still another said, “I nurse to be closer to my baby. I wouldn’t miss the experience for the world!” Another mother said, “I simply cannot imagine parenting a child any other way.” While some fathers may feel left out when a mother breastfeeds, one father said, “I know breast-feeding is best for my child so I encourage my wife. There are a lot of other things I can do for my daughter other than feed her.” Many of these mothers nurse their children far longer than the average three months. One mother, who is still nursing her two-year-old daughter, laughed and said, “The worldwide age for child-led weaning is five years, so she has a ways to go! Who am I to tell her when to stop?” she asked. “She will stop when she no longer needsit.” Another mother nursed her daughter to 26 months. When she is asked why she nursed for so long, she chuckles and says, “I didn’t — she did! Toddlers still have a sucking need,” she continued, “and an endless need for affection. Nursing is the best way to help them deal with all of the emotions of toddlerhood.” A mother who bottle fed her first child, nursed her second to two and a half and is still nursing her three-year-old agreed. “There just isn’t a better way to ease a child through the hardships of being a toddler,” she said. At present, there are not enough grown children who were breast-fed for prolonged times to support any in-depth studies on its psychological affects, preliminary findings, however, seem to indicate that these children are exceptionally independent and mature. In Norma Jean Bumgarner’s “Mothering Your Nursing Toddler,” she says that, “The freely nursing toddler is getting the bulk of his dependency needs met and is going to show the independence his personality and development allow.” The Family Bed Another childrearing concept that is resurfacing is the family bed. It was once considered to be the norm until homes became larger and warmer and separate bedrooms became the ideal. Then sleeping with one’s children was considered perverted and even incestuous. Dr. William Sears says in his book “Nighttime Parenting,” “It is not abnormal or unusual for children to sleep with their parents, just uncultural.” One mother finds the incest attitude to be particularly offensive. “My husband and I sleep with our daughter because we love her and want to be close to her during the night as we are during the day," she explained. “It’s a sad world when loving your children is thought of as sexual deviancy.” One family, who has both a two-year-old and a newborn in bed with them, said they would not have it any other way. “It’s wonderful!” exclaimed the mother. “I want to know what is happening with my child everv

hour of the day, not just when she is awake. If I know that she had a restless night, I will be more understanding when she is cranky the next day,” she continued. “You may not get eight hours of uninterrupted steep,” she said. “But we fed that there is too much emphasis put on steep away. For us, steep is much less a priority than our children’s well being. After all,” she added, “a child belongs in bis mother’s arms, not somewhere down the hall.” She went on to explain how she and her husband began using a family bed. “With our first child, we used a traditional crib, but she developed some sleeping problems so we consulted a doctor. Her suggestions (medication, letting her ‘cry it out’) were so offensive to us that we started looking for alternative answers. A friend suggested that we read Tine Thevenin’s “Family Bed.” Right away we started using the concept in our home. Our daughter slept better immediately and we learned that sleeping through the night is not a natural part of a young child’s make-up and should not be expected.” Dr. Sears agrees with this. He describes how an infant’s sleep cycles are much shorter than adults and so they are in light sleep frequently. He believes that this is so they can be aware of cold, hunger or loneliness and can wake up to communicate their needs. “I strongly feel that the infant’s sleep pattern is ‘infantile’ so that the infant can more easily communicate his/her survival needs,” he states. Another mother used a crib with her first child, brought her second into their bed at two months, and the third was “born in our bed and has been there ever since. You always know that your children are OK,” she said. “Thisis particularly comforting when they are ill. As for sex,” she laughed, “you just learn to work around the children. Actually you can be quite creative.” Another mother agreed. “Sex is not a problem with a family bed,” she said. “We have simply learned to be a bit more imaginative.” “I am a mother 24 hours a day,” added one mother whose two-year-old has been in their bed since birth. “I wouldn’t go eight to 10 hours without touching my child during the day. Why should I at night?”

County 4-H members honored November 18

By RONALD W. HOYT Extension Agent, 4-H and Youth |

A total of 168 Kosciusko County 4-H members were honored on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the annual 4-H Achievement Night. The Achievement Night was held at the Women’s Building on the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. The following 4-H members received awards for their achievement: Tractor operator contest — Brent Beer, junior contest winner; David Schafer, senior contest winner General project awards — Andi Stroup, Paul Berkey, Mark Demske, Sharon Gerencser Best wildlife display — Paul Berkey, Scott Beery, geology; Betty Smith, Katti Stroup, Rebecca VanSchepen, Shirley Bolinger, flowers; Mark Demske, Shawn Krull, soil and water conservation Best soil and water conservation display—Shawn Krull Demonstration contest — Penny Williamson, livestock, senior winner; Debra Schafer, animals for pleasure, senior winner; Cindy Davis, foods, senior winner; Rebecca VanSchepen, natural resources, senior winner; Betty Smith, general, senior winner; Janet Lynch, junior winner. Special electric awards — Emily Webster, Brett Ring, Andi Stroup, Loretta Schafer, division I winner; Kim Hollar, division II winner; Jason McGlennen, division II alternate; Jeff Camden, division 111 winner; Joshua Gigous, division 111 alternate; Chris Braman, division IV winner; Tom Braman, division IV

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One father felt that a family bed was essential to having a close family relationship. “With a family bed,” he said, “I get a chance to be close to my child that I might not get otherwise. 1 get to be a real part of the nursing, nurturing, playing and loving.” Some of the advantages of a family bed, according to these families, are that babies and mothers sleep better and awaken less, nursing is easier and with toddlers, there are less nightmares or fear of the dark and bedtime is considered a pleasant time. As for the disadvantages, the parents chuckled and cited the usual running out of room, getting kicked and having their sleep temporarily disturbed. “But you get that from your spouse! ” pointed out one woman. Official studies are beginning to come out in support of family beds. In a recent study at California’s Irvine Steep Center, it was estimated that sleeping with one’s child Could help to prevent some of the 10,000 annual cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). When infant and mother sleep together, the study explained, their breathing patterns are much the same. If a baby’s breathing stops or falters, which is often the case with SIDS, not only will his mother’s breathing help to stimulate his own to begin again, but the parents are far more apt to notice the problem and correct it immediately. Home births, breast-feeding and family beds are unpopular, old-fashioned concepts that are not easily accepted by a society that is dedicated to progress through technology. It is hard to remember is this ‘new and improved’ world that these three concepts were once the common, accepted methods of childcare. -—Hospital births, bottle feeding and cribs have become the new standards. But it is only in the last 40 years that births took place in the hospital, only the last 30 that bottle feeding became so prevalent and only the last century that mothers and babies were separated at night. It is only in the last 200 years that this society has deviated from the childrearing methods they had used since the beginning of time. Are we better off now, or are we, as these parents seem to feel, changing for the worse at the cost of our children’s well-being?

alternate; Lee Haney, division V winner; Michelle Sutton, division IV alternate Rocket club awards — Cassie Hart, division I winner; Joe Kimpel, division I alternate; Bill Hilliard, division 111 winner; Tim Secrist, division IV and up winner; Chris Braman, overall rocket achievement winner County Award Medals Fine arts — Rhonda VanSchepen, Paul Berkey Miscellaneous crafts — Katti Stroup, Betty Smith Model crafts — Nick Waech, Andi Stroup Needle crafts — Rebecca VanSchepen, Betty Smith Beef — Janet Lynch, Steve Lynch, Todd Roberts, Rodney Shepherd Cats — Shawnee Earl, Jeryl Baker, Rhonda VanSchepen, Doug Kimes Child care — Shirley Bolinger, Kim Demske, Kris Butt, Laura Rogers Field crops — Aimee Anglin, Todd Roberts Goats — Elizabeth Walters, Patty Walters, Michael Walters, Tom Cotton Rabbits — Shirley Bolinger, Elizabeth Walters, Allan Waggoner, Jim Kintzel Sheep — Duane Kline, Penny Williamson, Kris Butt, Thad Leininger Swine — Doug Hathaway, Kim Demske, Shawnee Earl, Andi Stroup Bicycle — Paul Berkey, Ken Gault Cake decorating — Heather Stensel, Paul Berkey, Cheri Tucker, Tom Braman Personality — Cindy Davis, Shirley Bolinger, Rebecca VanSchepen >• Roller skating — Andi Stroup, Shirley Bolinger

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COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT — Syracuse Jaycees, as part of their on going community service projects, provided volunteer labor to build a storage shed at the Lakeland Community Daycare Center. Syracuse. The money for the building materials were donated in memory of Anna Karesh. a daycare center volunteer for 10 years; and Joe Thornburg. Jaycee members who worked on this project were Bruce and Mindy Vandermark, Darle Hoover. Neal and Nancy Donahoe. Roger Shipley and Mike Murray. Shown in the photo working on building materials for the shed are Darle Hoover and Bruce Vandermark. |

From the Syracuse Police log —

Uptown light malfunctioning

The following information was obtained from the log of the Syracuse Police and Fire Departments : ; NOVEMBER 19 • 2:42 a m. — Road condition call 8:07 a.m. — Major traffic tieup; Bowser Road-Crazy Corners 9:43 a.m. — Request on who to contact for the scout cabin 5:07 p.m. — Dog report 7:26 p.m. — Dog problem on Lake Street NOVEMBER 20 5:50 a m. — No lights on Old Road 8 6:38 a.m. — Pole across the road at The Other Side 3:18 p.m. — Property Damage accident ; Heckaman Marina 4:57 p.m. — Hurt raccoon in garage 6:15 p.m. — Car fire; Papakeechie Lake 9:27 p.m. — Disabled car parked at a business 11:18 p.m. — A suspicious car reported

Gift wrapping — Lisa Kaiser, Shirley Bolinger. Janet Lynch, Kim Demske Rocket — Nick Waech, Paul Berkey, Tim Secrist, Scott Beery National Awards Achievement — Katti Stroup. Betty Smith, Doug Hathaway, Mark Demske Agriculture — Doug Hathaway. Penny Williamson. Tony Davis Bread — Janelle Kistler, Kari Walther Citizenship — Kim Demske, Paul Berkey Clothing — Karen Pfleiderer, Betty Smith, Zona Hatfield, Angie Smith Conservation of natural resources — Shawn Krull Consumer education — Lindi Hubler, Monda Sievers, LeAnn Barton, Lisa Kaiser Dairy — Doug Hathaway, Richard Karst, M B. Tusing Dairy foods' — Rebecca VanSchepen, Elizabeth Walters, Kim Demske, Emily Webster, Betty Smith Dog care and training — Katti Stroup, Penny Slone, Geri Schue Electric energy — Lee Haney, Michelle Sutton, Paul Berkey, Chris Braman Entomology — Rebecca VanSchepen Food and nutrition — Sharon Spangle, Debra Schafer, Betty Smith, Julie VanDeWater Food preservation — Dawn Burch, M.B. Tusing, Renee Beer Forestry — Mark Demske Gardening — Eric Toetz, Sharon Gerencser Health — Rebecca VanSchepen Home management — Kim Demske Horse — Christine Herendeen, Jennifer Wolf Leadership — Mark Demske, Doug Hathaway, Shirley Bolinger Photography — Sarah Alt, Shane Gamble Public speaking — Cindy Davis

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NOVEMBER 21 12:45 am. — Business requested officer 3:15 p.m. — Information requested on ambulance 5:30 p.m. — Observed wreckless driver 8:50 p.m. — Lockout at uptown bank 9:04 p.m. — Manhole problem; Benton Street 10:52 p.m. — Fight in progress 11:10 p.m. — Request semi be moved from in front of business NOVEMBER 22 12:51 am. — Possible fight reported 1:02a.m. — Theft reported 7:09 p.m. — Possible problem at a residence 8:26 p.m. — Question on when deer season ends NOVEMBER 23 5:10 a m. — Broken window found at a business 3:22 p.m. — Uptown light malfunctioning 3:46 p.m. — Theft of bikes reported

Vet science — Jim Kintzel Wood science — Kim Lee, Kathy Henwood Fashion Revue — Karen Pfliederer, Renee Beer, Betty Smith, Zona Hatfield, Beth Bammerlin, Sharon Gerencser, Shirley Bolinger, M.B. Tusing Rick Osborn Memorial Award for Dairy — Richard Karst Kay Ferverda Memorial Award for Beef — Jennifer Shewman I Dare You Leadership Award — Betty Smith, Doug Hathaway 4-H Champion Crop Exhibit Awards — Todd Roberts, corn; Todd Roberts, soybeans; Tony Davis, oats; Paul Berkey, wheat; Shawn Krull, alfalfa 4-H Roundup — Tim Secrist, Jonathon Studebaker, Chris Braman, Brent Wood, Kent Gault, Jake Tusing, prian Pyle, Rhonda Surface, Janet Lynch, Laura Alt, Carmen Haney, Laura Rogers, Diane Sisk, Renee Beer, Mariellyn Goodwin, Pam Young, Heather Stensel, Angie Smith

State Junior Leader Conference — Katti Stroup, Rebecca VanSchepen, Lisa Kaiser, Paul Berkey State Fair School — Kim Demske, Shirley Bolinger Animal Science Workshop — Sonja Bishop, beef; M.B. Tusing, dairy; Debra Schafer, horse/pony; Penny Williamson, sheep; DeNae Bouse, swine Conservation Camp — Andi Stroup, Shawn Krull, Loretta Schafer Plant Science Workshop — Shawn Krull, soybean, wheat, oats, barley; Jim Kintzel, corn, hay, sileage, pasture; Jennifer Mithoefer, ornamentals Indiana 4-H Key Club Award — Aimee Anglin, Shirley Bolinger, Penny Williamson 4-H Royalty — Doug Hathaway, king; Cindy Davis, queen; Mark Demske, Jim Kintzel, Aimee Anglin, Zona Hatfield,

7:52 p.m. — Manhole cover partially up; East Benton Street NOVEMBER 24 10:20 a.m. — Officer requested at police station 3:33 p.m. — Subject to speak to an officer 6:17 p.m. — Disabled vehicle; SR 15 north of US 6 6:56 p.m. — Disabled vehicle; Three Flags parking lot NOVEMBER 25 1:06 a m. — Automatic burglar alarm activated 1:38 a.m. — Shooting heard by Liberty 6:21 a.m. — Theft reported 4:24 p.m. — Woman advised hit by a vehicle, not hurt, gave license plate number 5:32 p.m. — Attempt to locate, reference unauthorized control 7:56 p.m. — Problem with manhole cover on Benton Street 9:48 p.m. — Disabled vehicle in telephone company parking lot, do not tow

Betty Smith, Kim Demske, Todd Roberts, Rodney Shepherd, Steve Lynch, Elizabeth Walters, Shirley Bolinger, Jennifer Shewman, court State 4-H Achievement Book Winners — Katti Stroup, Todd Roberts, Aimee Anglin Standard Clubs — Claypool Classics 4-H Club, Phyllis Shepherd Junior Leaders Sixth year — Doug Hathaway, Betty Smith, Julia VanDeWater Fourth year — Kim Demske, Mark Demske, Amy Dickerhoff, Lisa Kaiser, Steve Lynch, Bo Shepherd, Katti Stroup, Leslie VanDeWater, Rebecca VanSchepen, Allan Waggoner, Elizabeth Walters, Sandy Wise Third year — Aimee Anglin, Jeryl Baker, Renee Beer, Scott Beery, Paul Berkey, Shirley Bolinger, Kris Butt, Lindi Hubler, Doug Kimes, Duane Kline, Stephanie Leek, Cindy Shepherd, Rhonda Wilson, Penny Williamson Second year — Sonja Bishop, DeNae Bouse, Jeff Feldman, Peggy Frederick, Sharon Gerencser, Doug Lehman, Janet Lynch, Tracy Martin, Kevin Ousley, Debra Schafer, Karen Ulmer, Rhonda VanSchepen First year — Martha Alt, Josh Beery, Jason Block, Susan Brubaker, Dawn Burch, Jeff Camden, Lisa Long, Jerry Phillips, Jonathan Studebaker 4-H Calendar November 27-28 — Extension office closed December 1 — 4-H Lamb club meeting, 7 p.m., Justice Building 1 — Beaver Dam Better 4-Hers club meeting, 7:30 p.m., Beaver Dam Church 2 — Horse and Pony Banquet, 6 p.m., Women’s Building 6 — 4-H beef steers, commercial heifers and dairy steer identified, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Claypool Livestock Sales Remember wildlife Why not make wildlife a part of the holiday season? National Wildlife magazine describes how to decorate a tree in the yard especially for wildlife.-Adorning a tree with pinecones dipped in suet or peanut butter makes a sumptuous Christmas feast for both birds and animals. Popcorn, raisins and cranberries strung on the branches are also treats for wildlife and give the tree a festive look. The best decorations, however, are those that come to feast — birds and nature’s other living ornaments.