On a happy note, I am glad to report that the Ohio Lactation Consultant
Association has as one of its priorities to strengthen its ties with LLL of
Ohio.  Last Friday, we hosted a joint health professional conference with LLL
of Ohio and had 91 participants!  Over $2000 was spent at the bookstore on
both professional materials and LLL materials.  Over 1/2 the participants
were nurses!  All of our speakers (Jan Riordan, Linda Smith and Karen
Gromada) had ties to both LLL and LCs.   The two organizations cooperated
fully and felt it was a win-win for both organizations. OLCA is also offering
LLL of Ohio Leaders the opportunity to subscribe (at a reduced rate) to our
newsletter without becoming a member of the organization as a way to increase
communication about issues that are important to us both and to publicize our
educational events.

Today, I saw a post partum mom for sore nipples, engorgement, etc.  She was
telling me that after taking my BF class, she requested no bottles and no
pacifiers.  She was informed by the night nurses that they would have to wake
her at night if the baby needed her!  She said "I told them that it was MY
responsibility to feed my baby!"  She also said that despite many
reassurances by her family and friends that cracked, sore bleeding nipples
are normal, she remembered that I said they were not and sought help!  Let's
hear it for prenatal teaching!!!

Finally, I just returned home from the Dayton Dietetic Association's monthly
meeting.  This time, it was on hunger issues. The Hunger Panel (a group of
dietitians who meet to address the needs of the hungry in this county and
offer nutrition services to feeding sites, etc.) has listed breastfeeding
promotion as one of their goals for this next year.  They want BF posters,
etc. to be passed out, displayed, etc. in the feeding sites.  Anyone knowing
of free or inexpensive sources of things that could be used, please e-mail me
privately.  WAKE UP ALERT:  the dietetic groups in your town may have a
similar group.  This is an opportunity to reach a population that may not be
served by WIC (many of the people fed in sites like these are homeless,
transient or otherwise living "in the cracks")

That's all for now!
Martha Brower RD LD IBCLC