On Thu, 22 Jun 1995, Anne Williams, BSN, IBCLC wrote:

> Lasy year I hosted a Japanese high school student.Many of them came to my
> home one afternoon.They best practiced their English by asking questions.They
> were very interested in my nursing career, but the din in the room and looks
> of shock were quite disconcerting until my student explained that they
> thought I breastfed all the infants at the hospital when I tried to show them
> with sign language that I helped breastfeeding mothers.Not such a terrible
> task,if I were only up for it! My 4 1/2 year old still thinks that is what I
> do when I head off to work!                                       Anne W..

        You reminded me of my nursing education in Japan.  Traditionally,
we assumed that all mothers would do breastfeeding. My OB-GYN book had a
chapter for breastfeeding and nursing care for the nursing mothers.  Even
we were taught how to masage breasts to increase prducing of breast
milk.  Also, we were taught about diet for breast feeding.  Well, I am a
psychiatric nurse, so I forgot most of them.  So, you can imagine how I
was shocked to hear that breast feeding was not common in the US.
Sincerely,
 Noriko Kito <[log in to unmask]>