This may not seem like it at first, but this is bf related.  There have been
several major life changes for me this past year...actually the last 8 or 9
months.  The most recent is that I have married a wonderful man, one who is
learning a great deal about bf and nurturing babies and so is his 16 year old
son.
         Recently, I had to leave my job with the district WIC program (long
story there) and go to work at a business in my town.  It is a worldwide
corporation - a huge change from anything I've ever done before.  It has been
very interesting, to say the least.  One of the things I have had the hardest
time adjusting to is the way people view babies.  Even though I am
discouraged with the state of things, at the same time, it makes me so proud
of our WIC program.  I am more convinced than ever that families who are on
the program eat more nutritiously than non-clients AND that the babies are
generally healthier.  Our facility employes four full time shifts and a full
office staff and I communicate in some way with around 50-100 additional
people a day from other states and countries.  I am just amazed every day to
listen to these people talking about bottles and formula as if it were just
fine and perfectly normal.  They are aghast when I talk about bf being the
norm because it is species specific and is what babies need to drink, even if
it means working through some challenges.  I encourage pregnant employees to
investigate bf vs. formula BEFORE the birth and gently encourage non bfeeders
to at least try.  I was a para-professional nutritionist with our district
and several of our salesmen have been calling me for help with their diets.
It is really a kick to be able to do this and I enjoy it, but I miss being in
an environment where bf is held as the norm and people don't cross their eyes
at me when they find out I bf my last one for almost 2 years.  Just for added
punch, sometimes, I go on to explain that the world wide bf avg is longer
than that.

I didn't mean to go on and on about this, but I knew you all would
understand.  I didn't realize how "sheltered" I was in my last job regarding
nutrition and bf.  I thought most everyone thought they were important.  The
funny thing is, that as hard as it was to give up that job, I actually think
I can do more good where I work now!  It's great how things work out.  It's
great to still be able to keep up on bf issues here.
Amanda Austin, IBCLC
(formerly Amanda Copeland)

             ***********************************************
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