Boy do I share your frustrations, Magda. However, I seem to have been born optimistic, and having been in the field in the US for over 20 yrs. I see LOTS of progress in elevating the standard of care. So I know it can be done, and it always starts with small groups or even individuals raising their voices in a call to the higher standards. So your articles will contribute to the pressure that has to build before change is accomplished with regard to elimination of sloppy practices. Think about the amazing initial resistence there was to the idea of physician hand-washing!! Think about the poor guy who tried to convince the medical establishment that pylori bactor (sp?) caused ulcers -- not stress! He was almost laughed off the planet. Lots of ideas that today are commonly accepted started out as heresy and seemed impossible to institute. We need good research to back up any proposed standard of care, and clinicians help researchers by sharing what works in practice and calling for scientific exploration. If the research bears out, it provides the platform for the change to become integrated into wider practice. So we all work together. If we keep open minds and work very hard, we will make slow progress. That's as good as it ever gets, and it doesn't do to get too discouraged. I long ago decided that if I didn't take an attitude of detatchment I would go nuts from irritation. If our own conduct is scrupulous with regard to providing careful service, then we can at least feel good about our own contribution. And I believe careful work lays the groundwork for positive change. At least that is what history tells us. Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC Austin Lactation Associates LactNews Press www.lactnews.com *********************************************** 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(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html