I came back SOOOO encouraged by the ILCA convention!  It was great!  I
enjoyed seeing friends from all the cities I've lived in except Gurnee, IL
(sure missed her!).  There were many sessions that added to my knowledge
and/or reinforced my experience.  I must admit to being a little concerned
about the tone of some of the questions during pre-conference, (kind of
like Lactnet - when we get so carried away we forget that we're all on the
same side), but after that I didn't see this again, and I was able to
relax, enjoy and soak in the presence of all these dedicated people (after
all NONE of us is in it to get rich!)

I had tried the "old" Whittlestone pump and am very interested in seeing
how the new one works.  Hope to get a chance to try it some day.  My own
"suck check" found the movements appeared to be appropriate, but I'm
concerned that the suction is so low the breast may not be drawn in
appropriately to reach the sinuses.  We'll have to see  - who's doing the
studies (we're "evidence-based", you know).

Sooo - I had taken Monday off to "recover" - got in at 11:30 pm Sunday
night and by the time we got home it was 1:00 am - this "old lady" doesn't
recover like she used to!
        Baked 4 large cakes using the form for the bottom of a doll's hoop
skirt - frosted them in different colors from light to dark and made
additional cupcakes - all breasts, large and small, with large and small
areolas and nipples (including one with inverted nipples).  My husband was
not pleased - the temperature here was 107 degrees - and here I was
baking....

        Took them to the offices of the staff I work with - Public Health
Nurses, Black Infant Health, WIC, and of course the bosses got the small
cupcakes.  I was wearing my WBW t-shirt.

        Everyone loved them and laughed - but then I was reminded that LAST
year I had put white frosting dribbling from each one...  Guess I'd better
write myself a note for next year.

Also distributed the great material from ILCA so that each breastfeeding
mom can have a card with her "rights".  

Today it was the t-shirt I love which says "eat at mom's" in the back from
the St. Louis Breastfeeding Task Force.  Tomorrow it will be my "Proyecto
Lacta" shirt from my program in Puerto Rico.  Great logo with a WIDE open
mouth off-center from the nipple and bright colors. (see our website at
www.prlacta.org)

Have a good WBW!

Jeanette Panchula, RN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA  
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