I have asked Larry Gartner to send me a copy of this editorial as I
organised the tour (Tom Hale, Larry Gartner, Gabrielle Palmer and LG)
before I comment on exactly what he has said.

Having said that, I wonder if the comment is referring to paediatricians
rather than GPs. We purchased the paediatricians' mailing list for these
events and LG was very aware of the result.

However, one doesn't have to be a briefly visiting (but well prepared by
his sponsor) American paediatrician to know that in Australia, like many
places, the majority of paediatricians are not actively involved in the
protection, promotion and/or support of bf.
Paediatricians' conferences and those of the Perinatal Society (paeds,
O&Gs, epidemiologists, neonatal nurses..) as well as newsletters of the
latter, have been sponsored and/or provided with a secretarial for many
years by a major formula company. Formula companies dominate at their
conference exhibits.
However, we have SOME very supportive GPs (family practitioners) and
paediatricians, like all countries.
In my 26 years in this field, one very noticeable involvement by Australian
medical practitioners has been in the number of GPs becoming IBCLCs and
also more active in bf promotion.

Anyway, here as elsewhere, Bf needs to be better protected, promoted,
supported by the whole community - govt, business, media etc..  and ALL
health professionals.. the medical practitioners are not alone in not
giving 100% support.

Jan Cornfoot [log in to unmask]
Editor, Birth Issues Journal
CAPERS Bookstore
Brisbane, Australia