Hi Lactnetters!  I'm seeing so much red I don't know from which angle to
respond.  Here's the situation:  Our Perinatal Association needs mega money
to support their Resource Mothers program (where "resource mothers" go into
community find and transport pregnant (usually drug or alcohol addicted)
women to get the prenatal care they need).  Our state has one of the worse
infant mortality rates of the US.  I attended a board meeting and find that
one of the people they asked for money is no other than Nestle!!!   I find
that in odds of the Perinatal Association's mission of "optimal infant care"
and I am furious.  I chair the Breastfeeding Advisory, a committee of the
Perinatal Association.  The Advisory was already told that the Perinatal
Association would accept money from formula companies if the opportunity
arrised (when we became one of their committees) but we were hoping to
educate and change them from within.  This is our first challange.

  The President of the Perinatal is a geneticist who believes in breastmilk
and not taking money from ABM companies but there are some pretty powerful
drs- a neonatologist and a couple of pediatricians who are also on the Board
of Directors. What angle would you take in protesting this obvious-to-us
unacceptable practice?  I (an non-medical LC) am going to confront the
President this week.  How would you handle this situation?

Terriann Shell, IBCLC
Delaware

BTW, I would like to hear from any Lactnetter from ALASKA, especially in the
Ankorage area, please email privately with your address so I can correspond.
Thanks!
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