----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nikki Lee" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 1:27 PM
Subject: [LACTNET] why the lamentation?

**Dear Nikki (and others),

> I see the incredible ignorance and the anger and I know that there is more
> work to do. I know that eternal vigilance is a part of spiritual practice,
> of professional attention and personal activities. I have to brush my 
> teeth
> every day too.  Brushing them very well on Sunday means that I still have 
> to
> do it again on every day.

**Thank you, for these words. They are exactly what I need right now. Our 
statement against the CIO-guideline has caused so much turmoil within the 
Dutch lc-field... We fight the guideline; we fight the way the government 
institute (RIVM) is shoving it down the throats of child healthcare workers 
despite the fact that the guideline is suspended; we fight the way these 
RIVM-employees abuse their power; we fight the way the professional 
organisation is dealing with this topic and how it undermines our work by 
publicly denying the risks despite endorsing our statement; we fight the 
concept of breastfeeding having nothing to do with letting babies cry it 
out; we fight the fact that the professional organisation is trying every 
trick (not) in the book to prevent us from discussing this at the annual 
general meeting, for which we officially and timely handed in letters and 
questions. We are really worried by all of this. And like you said: the 
resistance may be a sign of change. Nevertheless, I often find it hard to 
deal with all the anger of others and frustration in myself, especially when 
the angry words are aimed at me personally, for me being the voice of what 
needs to be said. Perseverance has to be able to draw on inner resources, 
that sometimes get depleted through all the work. I feel fortunate to be 
able to replenish those resources here. It's good to remember, indeed, that 
vigilance is a worthy characteristic in many situations.
Please send your positive energy towards us, me and a couple of close 
colleagues, and keep your fingers crossed next Saturday, so that in the 
annual meeting, we can get our message across in a way that will help others 
to let go of their resistance. For some, it takes courage beyond imagination 
to face shattering false illusions, consider difficult issues and realise 
you, too, should build an opinion and be strong.
Mothers and babies need us to be strong. There's no use in us going with the 
flow if it is poisonous and going in the wrong direction.
Salmon swims upstream to procreate; we hope we will find people to swim 
along with us, but we will swim regardless.

Warmly,

Marianne Vanderveen IBCLC, Netherlands

             ***********************************************

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