In a message dated 05/31/2000 10:33:17 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<<
  I need to ask what 3 things all of you would consider to be the most
 important things to mention in a brief 15 minute presentation (to our local
 county health board) on breastfeeding?  I have done many of these for other
 groups, but the diversity of knowledge (from zip to relatively bf savvy),
 the short time period, and the potential for this group affecting actual
 change in the community is making me question my usual approach.  Over the
 years, in previous brief discussions with this group (I'm co-chair of the
 county health board), I've been asked everything from  what exactly IS an LC
 to why is breast better than formula/bottle? >>

Doing the short and sweet of what you could talk about for days on end is
particularly challenging.  With this group I should think that impact on the
health from a community perspective would be the best lead - the costs of NOT
breastfeeding and the impact of that on Public Health care costs,  how even
toh breastfeeding is NATURAL, it is not instictive but LEARNED and in the
context of a bottlefeeding culture, women tend to have more problems that
require assistance, support and intervention than they would if they lived
where everybody breastfed and it was enmeshed in the culture.  And probably
I'd add something about resources available in your area for those needing to
make referrals when then encounter someone having problems.  That kind of
addresses  a what, why and how - can't fit in much more in 15 minutes - good
luck - you'll undoubtably dazzle them all!

Gretchen Andrews, BA, IBCLC
private practice,  So CAL, USA

             ***********************************************
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