This is for all the Doctors on LactNet, please don't hold back posting.
I work primarily with moms who are treated at a military hospital and I
get the sense that most of the doctors and many of the nurses are not
knowledgeable and/or supportive of breastfeeding. A while ago I tried to
find out if my perception was correct but quit after hearing one too
many times, I believe/support/know about breastfeeding but don't want to
make moms feel guilty.

It helps me to know that the medical community has people in it who are
knowledgeable and willing to work through medical situations without
dismissing breastfeeding or ignoring it's importance. Hopefully, more of
the military medical community will begin to learn these lessons.

Please keep posting, I use your names, positions and references when I
encounter moms given misinformation, bad information or it is just
inferred that breastfeeding isn't such a big deal or that important. It
helps empower the moms who want to continue that there are doctors out
there who are not willing to immediately discontinue breastfeeding at
the slightest little problem or who are willing to try to find out if
there is an alternative solution. It also confirms to them that there
even are alternative solutions to try.

Having said what I just said, I will state that through the years I can
find instances and situations where military doctors and nurses have
fought for breastfeeding and I always tell the mom to thank him/her for
their support. I also tell them that I feel much better when a doctor
confirms my information and stance. So not all of our doctors and nurses
are unsupportive, just more than I'd like to see.

Leslie Ward
Vine Grove, KY