Did you know the New York Times’ target audience is babies age zero to 18 months? Me neither!

But over the last couple of days they’ve been running articles that are shockingly appropriate for my age group.

First there’s this article on breastfeeding. Then today there’s this great article on a study on the effects of daycare.

You all know I’m breastfed. Personally I think its the right option for me. Of course I would never impose my tastes on other babies.

I know many moms are up in arms over these articles, “there goes the Times again, laying a guilt trip on us!” But I say they have some good points. Would we rather remain ignorant of the study data? On the daycare question, the real issue is options, as the Times points out:

“The big lesson from Quebec is that parents really do need more support, but they need the kind of support that allows them to choose what is best for their family. Mothers and fathers should get paid time off after a baby is born, and the money should come from a government insurance program, as it does in Canada, England and other countries. Companies need to be given incentives to create more part-time jobs that don’t derail careers — and then find some up-and-coming men who want those jobs. High-quality preschool programs should be available for every low-income child and perhaps universally.”

Mom and I agree on this one, bigtime. Did you know that EVERY industrialized nation in the world, except the United States, has some form of PAID parental leave with a guaranteed job on return to work? Why is the US so behind on the leave front? And the better question is, what are WE going to do about it?