Patricia made excellent points in her recommendations for a bottle feeding presentation, once I explain to moms that it is not as simple as dumping some powder or liquid into a bottle and adding some water - they start to think differently. Mentioning that even in 1999, water supplies (even in areas where it is 'cleanned' up), still need to be boiled before using, formula amounts need to be measured precisely and so on, bottle/formula feeding begins to look like the work it is. What causes the problem (MHO) is that in the hospital, everything is so neatly packaged (ie, attractive, cute even) but more importantly sterile and usually ready to use. Formula feeding under those conditions can be easier for all involved. However, the big consideration is that most new families can not afford to purchase sterile equipment and ready to feed formula for each and every feeding and many HCPs just don't even consider what this infant will be going home to. That I think, is completely unfair, and tragic to the infant directly, but also to the family. Set them up with the best of everything and then a couple of days later, leave them hanging in the wind. I know the responsibility lies directly on the formula manufacturers, but HCPs and hospitals that continue to support and use such practices are also to blame. It's just amazing to me, that many more HCPs just don't see the problem and the solutions. Perhaps it is because the OB/L&D don't see babies/families beyond a certain point postpartum and just don't see the results of their practices. Leslie Ward Vine Grove, KY - soon to unsubscribe, so I can finally move to Texas *********************************************** 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