http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18308223-2,00.html?from=rss

 Breastfeeding athlete faces ban From:
<http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/?from=ni_story>
 By Katie Peart

March 01, 2006


A CHAMPION netballer could be banned from the Commonwealth Games village
because she wants to express milk for her baby son.
Janine Ilitch is under pressure to give up breastfeeding before the Games
begin, even though her baby will not be in the village with her.

Ilitch wants to feed baby Heath by using a breast pump throughout the 10-day
tournament.

Team officials have voiced concerns to her. However, the mother of two said
it was her right and was prepared to take her own expressed milk into the
village.

"I'm sure there's a way to do it," she said.

"I feel very strongly that I want to continue breastfeeding. It's my right.
I'm just an ordinary woman who likes feeding and I want it to be my decision
when I stop."

 But Australian coach Norma Plummer said facilities may not be appropriate.

She said she was under the impression the 34-year-old planned to quit
breastfeeding before the Games and she did not know if the player's request
could now be accommodated.

"It's a delicate issue. She told us she wouldn't be breastfeeding and that's
the problem," Plummer said.

"I can't promise her anything because we haven't seen the layout or what's
available.

"We don't have our own bedrooms and facilities. It's not that easy.

"There are also other people to consider.

"There's not a lot of room and the players might need their rest and she is
in there expressing (breast milk)."

Plummer said Netball Australia supported Ilitch in her Games preparation,
paying for her mum Helen to fly to Canberra to help look after Heath during
training camps.

Plummer said medical staff also were concerned the superfit Ilitch would
lose weight if she continued to breastfeed.

"The doctor is seriously concerned about her losing weight," Plummer said.

"She's just dropped the weight right off and that will impact on the team."

A dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Ilitch has been extraordinarily
dedicated in her bid to compete for Australia again after Heath's birth in
September.

She trained throughout her pregnancy and moved her young family to Canberra
so she could be close to the Australian Institute of Sport.

At last week's training camp in Canberra, Ilitch joined her teammates and
stayed in residence at the AIS.

Ilitch's mum looked after the baby while the netballer trained.

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

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html