Hi,
I'm new to Lactnet.  My name is Julie Jarvis and I'm a Physician
Assistant in a very small, rural town in Kansas.  Previously, I was a
LLLL and presently do all the childbirth education, breastfeeding
education, lactation consulting-- and try to promote breastfeeding as
much as possible in our small town.  I've been here for about a year and
have been surprised at the number of women who breastfeed for a short
time, and for various reasons quit.  A large proportion of our
population is Hispanic and these women tend to breastfeed longer, but
also supplement more.  But  I have had some good success stories-- it
helps for the moms here to have some positive feedback.  Our tiny
hospital (just the doc and me) started OB in January this year-- our doc
is really great, non-interventionist-- to do an epidural we have to call
the nurse anesthetist from a town 25 miles away, and if he's not busy in
another surgery, then maybe he'll come-- so far in the 3 women who have
requested epidurals, he's arrived before the delivery in only one
instance.
    Enough of my background-- the reason I decided to write was that a
patient of mine asked me to research a diet she wanted to try-- one of
the new programs out now that is fairly high protein, low carbohydrate.
When I started doing some research on the topic-- and I was looking for
info on this type of diet as it related to kids and bf infants-- I found
a site that was very interesting.  Try looking at it-- it is very
lengthy, but at least skip down to "Maternal Environment" and "Baby's
Diet".  Some interesting animal studies on the benefits of delaying
solids, and the advantages of breastmilk on baby's future development.
    I'm still doing some research on this type of diet, will pass on
pertinent info as it relates to infant and child nutrition.  If you all
have any good info on this topic, let me know.
    Also, I'm wondering if there are any other Physician Assistants on
Lactnet.  I'm considering sitting for the IBCLC exam.  Would like to
know if other PA's are practicing in the lactation field.

Thanks!
Julie Jarvis, RPA-C, former LLLL
Leoti, Western Kansas, Midwest USA, right in the middle of the grain
belt
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