Greetings Lactnetters,

I recently packed up our household and said goodbye to Pohnpei  (although
Lois Engelberger  is still there and will keep us updated on the most
wonderful breastfeeding situation there) to join my husband in Saipan. Wow,
what a shocker! Breasts are just breasts in Pohnpei, women go topless in
many places on the island. No big deal. Women nurse their last child to 6
years of age. Here on Saipan, ohhh boy, breasts are the object of leering by
men and I don't feel too comfortable breastfeeding my toddler in public. I
sensed something was different when the flight attendant in Guam (where we
changed planes) discreetly informed me that my top button (on a scoop neck
dress) was undone.  It's always undone when I wear that dress. It's the
second button that reveals some flesh. The Price CostCo store has a huge
banner hung across it advertising ABM. I'm not sure how to respond. I
welcome suggestions re: the banner. The hospital is severely understaffed
and I suspect bf initiation rates are low. Next week, I will investigate
rates and if there are any LCs here. Some moms are doing a weekly bf
support/info meeting for new moms. I haven't seen any sign of LLL.

 I missed World Breastfeeding Week 1998 in Pohnpei as I was in Vermont that
week. I was given a t-shirt as a going away gift and the logo shows a bare
chested woman with babe on one breast and other exposed. Mind you this is a
line drawing but there is a dot for the nipple. I am very pleased to display
my BREAST IS BEST bumperstickers as well, also a gift from Pohnpei. Yes I'm
missing it and did not realize how good the atmosphere for BF is there until
I left.

If there are any Lactnetters from Saipan, please contact me.


Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie, Midwife
Capitol Hill, Saipan
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

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