Hi, everyone:  It's taken me one day since my return to go through the
archives and get updated.  Today, I testified at the hearing regarding
early discharge.  Thanks to all of you for your helpful comments.  It was
a fascinating experience: through an impetus from NOW, a state
assemblywoman had called a hearing on a bill she recently introduced to
extend postpartum stays to a minimum of 48 hours.  I was one of the last
to speak, and breastfeeding issues had already been alluded to in prior
testimony (but not in as much detail).  I got a sympathetic hearing from
the assemblywoman's committee, and I was not challenged on my testimony
(I think it was because I was one of the last speakers in a long day!).
It's ironic to be arguing for longer hospital stays in order to protect
breastfeeding, when hospital stays have (and still often do) interfered
with breastfeeding success.  However, until we have proper antenatal
breastfeeding education and good home follow-up by people knowledgeable
about and supportive of lactation, it seems that longer hospital stays
are needed.  Happy Belated Mother's Day to all, Alicia.  [log in to unmask]