I've been following all thoughts on this issue with interest...

I responded (via e-mail) to Ms. Hirsch when the request was first posted..
 This was the message I wrote to her...

Ms Hirsch -

I received a message from Rachael Hamlet that you are looking for mothers
nursing older children for a piece you are working on for 20/20.

I am currently nursing my almost four year old, but I would like to know more
about the kind of piece you are doing, the issues you plan to bring up, the
slant it will take, etc., before I would volunteer my interest in helping
out.

If you could give me some idea of the focus of this piece and possible topics
to be covered within it, I would be very appreciative.

Yours,
Sheila Angalet
[log in to unmask]

To date, I have received no response.

I must also echo all the cautions posted by other members.  Late in 1995 I
helped a local (NYC) ABC news reporter with a piece entitled "A Mother's
Guide to Breastfeeding". I officially represented La Leche League. I assumed
being a network affiliate and a reputable reporter, the piece would be a
wonderful celebration of breastfeeding.  I couldn't have been more wrong.

When the reporter came to our specially staged meeting, she literally
attacked women there - almost provoking tears in one. By the time our hour
plus of filming was over, the reporter was quite agitated, wandering our
meeting space, shaking her head, saying - "You're nothing but a bunch of
moderates!" (Trust me, I've never been called a moderate in my life!) It was
at that time, we realized that although she told us the piece was in support
of breastfeeding, she had a hidden agenda of finding "dirt" within it.

When it aired, it was a complete travesty.  It should have been titled
Reasons to Bottle Feed because it more fully supported artificially feeding
one's infant than anything else.  By crafty edited, one of my co-Leaders was
made to look like she was expounding on the miraculous properties (although
unsubstantiated) of breastmilk (something akin to - It'll even grow hair on
your head!)  Comments of mine, that explained La Leche League philosophy and
clarified what we stand for and do, were edited out to leave me with almost
single word responses.

I guess though, in the scheme of things it could have been much worse for
LLL. The worst they showed was that we did indeed breastfeed toddlers.  The
best part, was all the beautiful, healthy, breastfed babies that actually got
on the air.

If anyone does participate in this, please, be warned - anything can happen
with your wonderful and calm comments. No matter how well prepared you are
and what "proper" things you say.  I'm not suggesting that you not do it, I'm
just suggesting exercising caution if you do.

Over the years I've done several TV pieces (live and taped), and I'd be happy
to privately share some hints with anyone interested - to help you make the
most of this - should it actually happen.

Warmly,
Sheila Angalet
Edison, NJ