hi everyone!

I would like to add my own view of medical education and breast feeding,
having completed medical school five years ago and now in general
practice in rural areas.
We received a 6 week course on breastfeeding and nutrition in general
during our third year (of six) which included an informal morning tea
with nursing mothers and discussion groups, information on breast
shields and pumps and other useful things, and what was then the
understanding on the nutritional value of breast milk, including a
comparison with artificial feeds which clearly put breast milk ahead (of
course!) - the leading instigator for introducing this into the medical
course was a male dietitian and I think he did an excellent job.  We
received further information during our pediatric rotation in the form
of neonatal and child nutrition requirements, causes and solutions to
poor weight gain or poor feeding problems, all of which was again
pro-breast milk.

In terms of keeping up to date and reading journals... I receive six
different journals including australian, british and american journals,
covering general medicine, general practice, obstetrics and gynaecology.
Naturally I cannot read all of the articles but I pick-and-choose and
read a considerable amount - keeping as up to date as i can in the wide
range of conditions i treat as part of daily work.  I have yet to see an
article on breastfeeding - apart from one several years ago on
breastmilk supply and excercise.  So, I think it is unrealistic and
unfair to judge the majority of medical practitioners who are operating
as best they can with whatever knowledge they have, and a more positive
reaction - eg. "how can we help them keep up to date?", "how can we get
involved in medical education?" would probably achieve more.

On another note entirely:  I cannot remember who sent the parable of
"The Thing" but I repeated it as best i could remember yesterday to a
nullip at 14 weeks who on questioning said she had never imagined
herself breastfeeding as she just hated the thought of "being pawed" and
couldn't bear the thought of having to feed in public, and her mother
hadn't fed etc., besides which she is overweight with inverted nipples
and concerned she "wouldn't be able to anyway" - so we discussed these
specific issues then told her the story - at which she laughed but I
think she got the gist quite well!  She's going to contact nursing
mothers association locally now and get these issues discussed and
sorted out before she gets preoccupied with delivery!...  So thanks for
the parable!

joy MBBS DRACOG
Albany, Australia