Hi Magda,
Letters! you sound like a dinosaur- I know you're not!
There is quite some research on Internet-based support groups including a 
paper of my own
Gribble, K. (2001). Mother-to-mother support via the Internet: a new method 
for an old model. Breastfeeding Review 9: 13-19.

This sort of support is particularly useful for mothers in unusual 
circumstances because it may be the only way they can connect with "similar 
others"

Karleen Gribble
Australia



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Magda Sachs" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 2:40 AM
Subject: mother support -- internet


> Great to see so many of you out there doing this work!
> Helen, your post reminded me that back when I was an NCT breastfeeding 
> counsellor I did letter support -- looking back I *hand-wrote* the letters 
> (having no computer in those days) and I seem to recall sending women to 
> their local library looking for suggested books.... Obviously transferable 
> skills for email support, but boy, oh boy, does thinking about that make 
> me realise how different our supporting practice is in some ways.
> I have thought that email support would be a great topic for a research 
> study -- I see some of my own thoughts about why women would choose it 
> echoed in some of the recent posts.  As far as I know this is something 
> not researched, so that is my thought for those of you looking for a 
> project for your masters or doctoral research!!  Look forwrad to seeing in 
> print.
> All the electronic best for the end of the year,
> Magda Sachs
> Registered Breastfeeding Supporter
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