I have just received the committee report entitled *Breastfeeding Investing
in California's Future* from my medical mentor  Chris Wade, MD. The book will
be sent out soon to WIC and Medical providers in California. I will ask were
copies can be obtained for interested parties. I am assuming the Department
of Health Services in Sacramento California will have copies available.
It is a clear, concise report on the benefits of breastfeeding to mother,
infant and society. It contains trends in breastfeeding rates and
recommendations for the promotion of breastfeeding in California.  If it's
recommendations are taken seriously I feel it could have significant
influence on how medical providers, WIC offices and HMO's will approach
breastfeeding. Hopefully these recommendations will have far reaching
implications outside of Calif.
There is a list of  17  priortized recommendations that I will not reprint
here unless there is interest.
The list includes: support for implementation of BFHI and recommendations for
professional breastfeeding consultation, classes and breast pump rentals.
Public service campaigns are high on the list.
Needless to say I was very impressed. The book is nicely done with good
references and good color photographs.
The mission and vision statement reads as follows:
*The Breastfeeding Promotion Committee's mission is to develop strategies,
recommendations and implementation guidelines to promote, support and protect
breastfeeding in California.
Our vision is that breastfeeding will be the norm in California for at least
the first year and preferably longer.*
Nice to see good things coming from government organizations.
Marie Davis