[joskids]

I was lucky enough to give birth 4 times and, with all of them, I nursed as long as it was reasonable (not when they were old enough to ASK for it). I loved nursing and I wish that every adoptive mother could find a way to do it because it is such a closeness.

That said, with our foster or adopted children, I don't think (I could be forgetting about once or twice) that I EVER propped a bottle. That doesn't make me a saint and it doesn't give me the right to judge others who may feel the need. It's a big deal to me to hold a child when they are sucking either a breast or a bottle because that is such bonding time and I'm not willing to let it go.

As for the comment on the "church baby". BOY, do I know what you mean!!! Our Natalie was also considered the "church baby", particularly because her adoption was contested and the entire church prayed for us to keep her. It's difficult to teach a child to behave in church when others are oohing and awwing about her in church and everyone wants to hold and coddle her. We let it happen at times but now that she's nearly 3, we keep her with us in order that she doesn't think the world revolves around her. It's hard enough not spoiling her when we came so close to loosing her.

I wouldn't judge someone who props a bottle, everyone must have their reasons, maybe that baby on the original post had reflux and needed to sit a certain way in order to digest her bottle. But in any case that I could, I certainly would hold a bottle in order to feel that connection that is so special. But then, I'm very selfish when it comes to that time with an infant that flies by much too quickly and they become toddlers who don't WANT to be held.