Marsha wrote -  I feel rather isolated and useless here because, after working
>with mothers for fifteen years, I am seldom consulted for breastfeeding
>assistance.  My present position in labor and delivery does not give me much
>opportunity to help mothers except for the first time after birth. I was
>originally hired to do some LC work and we were working on the Baby Friendly
>Initiative, but that position was eliminated due to staff resistance to
>change.   I'm currently doing some things in the home health field and may
>get the opportunity to follow that avenue more fully.  I have found IN WIC
>not to be as agressive as KY WIC in promoting breastfeeding and am surprised.
> I had thought this was a federally-mandated focus !  I am really in need of
>support and am ecstatic to finally have a computer so I can participate in
>this forum.


Marsha - glad to have you join Lactnet - I've been enjoying participating
and reading the posts for quite some time - it is a great support system.

I did want to make three comments -

1.  I have found IN WIC to be very supportive of breastfeeding - so much so
that I have been hired as a local IBCLC to work with the mothers both before
and after birth.  They are definately trying to do all they can to support
Breastfeeding from what I have seen.

2.  Also like you living in Evansville with MJ can be very interesting.  But
what I have found since I started my private practice here is that there are
many physicians that are extremely supportive of breastfeeding.  I am
receiving referrals from them and they are doing what they can to help the
mothers with their breastfeeding relationship.

3.  I do think the greatest hurdle is the hospitals - having three here in
Evansville - none are Baby Friendly or even close for that matter.  As you
have found - change is usually slow to occur - but hopefully with the
support of some of these physicians - change is just around the corner - I
am doing an in-service at a hospital across the river who wants to become
Baby Friendly - maybe Evansville is just around the bend too.

Rose Straeter, IBCLC
Evansville, IN