A few weeks ago, I was given an unexpected opportunity to teach a 75 minute
highschool psychology class about breastfeeding, and I asked my fellow Lactnutters
for their ideas about what to include. The response was overwhelming! I would like
to thank the following people for their input:

Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie, Karen M Zeretzke, Beverley Walker, Opal Horvat,
Patricia Gima, Pam Wiggins, Keitha Whitaker, Deborah L. Tobin, Carol Brussel,
Cynthia Dillon Payne, Lucy Brey, Cathy Carothers,and Leslie Ward. A special thank
you goes to Jack Newman who gave me permission to use his paper on Breastfeeding and
Guilt.

In the event, I was asked to teach all three of the psychology classes offered, thus
reaching a total of almost one hundred students. Their response was enthusastic, to
say the least, and the school has asked me to repeat the presentation for subsequent
psychology classes. In addition, I have just received a request to do similar
presentations for the *sexuality* component of the Health class, which is a
requirement for graduation. This means that all graduating students in our local
highschool will be receiving basic information about the importance of
breastfeeding. Think of the difference this could make!

I strongly suspect that the new AAP policy statement had a part to play in this
latest request I received. It is a tremendous step forward, and serves to focus
public attention on the need for more and better education of prospective parents.
The more youngsters we can reach *before* they get pregnant, the better will be
their chances of a good nursing experience.

If you are given a similar chance to speak to teenagers, please use the opportunity
to bring breastfeeding closer to being both the biological and the cultural norm
once again.

Norma,in Big Flats, NY

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Norma Ritter IBCLC
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"If not now, when? If not us, who?" R. Hillel