Ann,
Welcome to LactNet and I'm so glad you brought up that breastfeeding is a
two-way street.   In fact, I think of this now as a multi-lane, intersection -
kind of like those in movies of Los Angeles.  We meet many people, with many
different priorities and goals, and our time with them is truly over in an
instant...

 I was a breastfeeding mom who thought all problems could be resolved:
        "if only mothers would be more assertive, insisted on breastfeeding often
and       stayed with their babies instead of sending their babies to the
nursery,
        "if only mothers would sleep with their babies instead of putting them in
their     own beds or even bedrooms
        "if only mothers would stay with their children instead of sending them
to day    care."

Then I became an LLLL and thought breastfeeding would go well
        "if only we could teach moms how to latch the babies on well
        "if only women would come to meetings

Then I became an LC and thought all women would breastfeed
        "if only the doctors would stop misinforming the moms
        "if only the nurses would stop giving babies bottles
        "if only hospitals were Baby Friendly

Then I bacame a nurse.  I guess I'm hard-headed - I'm almost back to the
beginning:
        In order to breastfeed moms need to take charge:
        - expect their MD's other HCP be knowledgeable about bf and refuse to go
to         those who are not.
        - demand baby-friendly hospital policies in the hospitals they attend
        - go to specialists when things are not going well, realizing that bf is
a          complex process, as is parenting.
        - be willing to give some time, energy and yes, sacrifice to get things
going.

It is not a simple answer - we need to empower women to be able to advocate for
themselves and their babies and teach them why it is worth it...  And we also
need to hone our skills in helping those who, despite all the determination and
effort, do not succeed in breastfeeding in the way they planned...

        Through LactNet - every day I learn something new from you, whether a
fact - or a different perspective.  Both are invaluable.
        I guess this is my way of thanking the Katherines for getting us
together, and all of you for your willingness to share your knowledge.

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC - Puerto Rico