I would like to hear from you who work with low-income women.  Our Prenatal
clinics are feeling very frustrated as they are working hard at promoting
the idea of breastfeeding, have lots of posters and handouts on the
subject, speak positively about breastfeeding, refer them to WIC, which in
our county has been criticized as they do not "easily" hand out formula -
they ask why, and try to help mothers continue breastfeeding before handing
out formula even when moms request it - and still the number of women who
"try" breastfeeding are very small - and those who stick to it past 5 days
is even smaller.  

Our only "successes" seem to be with women who are not from the US and
still have some memory of the women who breastfed in their country, or the
women who are in our system but who in fact are students, originally  from
the well-educated population that is more likely to breastfeed.

I know that the peer counselor system is one of the best methods of support
(it worked for me a la La Leche League), but you still have to get them to
"consider" breastfeeding and "try" it.  What has worked for you?

Please e-mail me privately as well as the list, as I'm always waaaay behind
on reading posts!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA
mailto:[log in to unmask]

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