I think we need to think of ALL the moms - and the different alternatives.

- moms who want to go back to work / school - it may not be our choice, but
it's our job to help her get the information and support she needs to have
it work.

- moms who HAVE to go back to work.  Right now, with the welfare "reform",
I have many moms who have no choice - go back (to minimum wage jobs which
do not pay enough for even child care) or lose your benefits.  I think
little by little SOME moms will decide that the loss of benefits (they lose
the cash assistance for the mother but not that for the children or the
medical insurance) is worth it to stay home...on the other hand, some of
the moms I work with are on the very verge...  One mom is now working TWO
jobs - gone from home from 8:30 am to midnight.  Yes, her milk supply is
compromised.
I still encourage her to breastfeed when she IS home, and to value that
precious time with her little one.

Makes one want to become a political activist.  But I'm too busy trying to
pull those drowning out of the river to go up-river and fix the reason why
they're falling in!!!!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA
mailto:[log in to unmask]

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html