I was very interested to read the various methods of well baby care
around the world.  In Israel, most mothers use the well-baby clinics,
called Tipat Chalav ("drop of milk" in Hebrew.)  Staffed by nurses,
babies are weighed and given immumizations as well as screened for
development.  It is the job of the nurses to give nutritional
counselling as well.  Most clinics offer periodic check-ups by
pediatricians as well.  In addition, parents select a pediatrician
through their health fund (or privately if they wish) when their child
is ill.  A few pediatricians do well-baby care on a private basis.
This system had advantages:  It is rare to find a baby not getting
medical care or vaccinations.  Mothers can come whenever they and/or
the nurses see fit.  This means that first timers can come in every week
if they want.  The mother is not charged by the visit or for the
vaccine.  She pays a small sum per 1/2 year or year.  The downside to
the system is that the level of care is not even.  Some clinics are
staffed by municipal nurses, other clinics by health fund nurses.  A few
of the clinics I work with are very supportive of breastfeeding and will
not allow formula propaganda to enter the door.  They are quite happy to
work with LLL and LCs.  There are still plenty of clinics around,
however, that give lip service to breastfeeding.  For the first time,
2 courses are being given in Hebrew for health care professionals.

Susan Nachman-Srebrnik, IBCLC
Ranana, Israel