On Mary Ellen Kragh's Facebook page, a letter from Zabeth Bayne has been printed following the apprehension of her several hour old newborn son, Josiah. She wrote it on February 17th.
Hi There,
Just a little update from yesterday. We
arrived at the nursery at 6:00 which was the earliest we could as
we had visitation from our other three little ones from 10:00 to
5:00. It appears that SW arranged during a time he knew we would be
out for the new foster parent to spend a couple of hours bonding
with our son. We read this in the nurses notes. "Foster parent here
from 11:00 to 1:00.
This was arranged two days after
birth - prior to any court order being approved for removal - prior to
any decision being forwarded by Judge Crabtree supporting any
evidence of risk.
Also in the nurses notes. SOCIAL WORKER (SW) gave me permission to breast feed for now, but no EBM (expressed breast milk).
My
baby is small and needs this. He is not tolerating the formula
that they have been giving him while my milk comes in. It is curdling
and not digesting.
SW did this with
Bethany. I was starting to breast feed her and pumping daily. I
froze my milk for weeks and begged him to give it to her and he always
refused. I think they may feel I might contaminate it in some way to
harm my baby.
They never even arranged to have the milk tested. Yet they acknowledge we have no drug or alcohol abuse.
Also
we were not given the live birth registration from the hospital
that every parent gets. The Ministry must have denied us this. Are
they planning on registering our baby's birth? They don't even know
his full legal name. I don't understand if this is even legal.
Our
hearts have been so heavy yesterday. I could not even look at our
baby in my arms without crying. I came home and expressed more milk
for him with tears knowing they will probably dump it. I have been
scared to bond, but know that our baby needs us to continue
fighting for him and his needs.
Thanks for all you have done. We would feel lost without you.
This makes me feel sick just to read this, so imagine what these poor parents must be going through.
ReplyDeleteI am sending this letter to the La Leche League, a natural breastfeeding support group, as they as well should be protesting this injustice.
Here is the media contact for the La Leche League; please contact this person and let them know what MCFD is doing to Paul and Zabeth Bayne and their newborn.
Media Contact
Teresa Pitman
Phone: 519-829-2293
Email: teresaannpitman@rogers.com
from the La Leche League website:
Philosophies
La Leche League Canada is an Affiliate of La Leche League International. We share a common purpose and philosophy. The basic philosophy of La Leche League is expressed in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and summarized in the following concepts.
Mothering through breastfeeding is the most natural and effective way of understanding and satisfying the needs of the baby.
Alert and active participation by the mother in childbirth is a help in getting breastfeeding off to a good start.
Mother and baby need to be together early and often to establish a satisfying relationship and an adequate milk supply.
In the early years, the baby has an intense need to be with his mother which is as basic as his need for food.
Breast milk is the superior infant food.
For the healthy, full-term baby, breast milk is the only food necessary until the baby shows signs of needing solids, about the middle of the first year after birth.
Ideally the breastfeeding relationship will continue until the baby outgrows the need.
Breastfeeding is enhanced and the nursing couple sustained by the loving support, help, and companionship of the baby’s father. A father’s unique relationship with is baby is an important element in the child’s development from early infancy.
Good nutrition means eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural state as possible.
From infancy on, children need loving guidance which reflects acceptance of their capabilities and sensitivity to their feelings.
Please, other readers, spread the word, however and wherever you can.
Readers, please contact the La Leche League, as they should be very sympathetic to the injustice of denying a mother / infant the right to breastfeed, have the health and emotional benefits of mother's milk:
ReplyDeleteMedia Contact
Teresa Pitman
Phone: 519-829-2293
Email: teresaannpitman@rogers.com
=======================
Philosophies
La Leche League Canada is an Affiliate of La Leche League International. We share a common purpose and philosophy. The basic philosophy of La Leche League is expressed in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and summarized in the following concepts.
Mothering through breastfeeding is the most natural and effective way of understanding and satisfying the needs of the baby.
Alert and active participation by the mother in childbirth is a help in getting breastfeeding off to a good start.
Mother and baby need to be together early and often to establish a satisfying relationship and an adequate milk supply.
In the early years, the baby has an intense need to be with his mother which is as basic as his need for food.
Breast milk is the superior infant food.
For the healthy, full-term baby, breast milk is the only food necessary until the baby shows signs of needing solids, about the middle of the first year after birth.
Ideally the breastfeeding relationship will continue until the baby outgrows the need.
Breastfeeding is enhanced and the nursing couple sustained by the loving support, help, and companionship of the baby’s father. A father’s unique relationship with is baby is an important element in the child’s development from early infancy.
Good nutrition means eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural state as possible.
From infancy on, children need loving guidance which reflects acceptance of their capabilities and sensitivity to their feelings
------------------
La Leche League
British Columbia
Vancouver
604-520-4623
Victoria
250-727-4384
I don't believe that the social workers in Bethany's case or in Josiah's case really believe that Zabeth is going to contaminate her breast milk (and therefore are not allowing expressed breast milk). This is just one more example of their bullying tactics. They get away with whatever they can, and so far they've managed to get away with quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteIf people really understood what MCFD was up to, they would be outraged. The awareness of child protection injustices is growing. For example, there was a recent program on CNN re: false accusations of Shaken Baby Syndrome, which was very sympathetic to the parents as victims. As well, the very popular Dr. Mercola recently wrote an excellent article revealing how child protection has turned into an industry, rife with corruption.
I don't believe that the social workers in Bethany's case or in Josiah's case really believe that Zabeth is going to contaminate her breast milk (and therefore are not allowing expressed breast milk). This is just one more example of their bullying tactics. They get away with whatever they can, and so far they've managed to get away with quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteIf people really understood what MCFD was up to, they would be outraged. The awareness of child protection injustices is growing. For example, there was a recent program on CNN re: false accusations of Shaken Baby Syndrome, which was very sympathetic to the parents as victims. As well, the very popular Dr. Mercola recently wrote an excellent article revealing how child protection has turned into an industry, rife with corruption.
Thank you, Anon (10:04 and 10:18) -- great idea. My heart aches for this mom and family, as a mother who breastfed both my babies for over a year. I still can't believe this is happening. The MCFD is concerned about a foster parent bonding, but not about a mother bonding?! Something is desperately wrong. I will contact La Leche League today.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you need to post this one but just a question.
ReplyDeleteIs it not possible to have someone from the family (Aunts, Sisters or Grandparents) in the nursery with baby when Paul & Zabeth are not available? So that the baby is bonding with family and so that "Foster Parents" aren't being brought in without P & Z knowledge. If they are allowing strangers to come in and bond why not blood relatives? or someone else can speak about this if you don't know the answer.
Thanks