I just found an interesting sidenote on this topic after working last
night.  AWHONN is providing the Continuing Nursing Education credit for
some of these programs.  I also know there are a couple of formula
companies who, I believe, are corporate sponsors for AWHONN's educational
programs.  I know a lot of you must be AWHONN members-what is your opinion
of this?  Do any of you receive the Journal of Pediatric Nursing?  It is
full of formula company ads.

Along with my ILCA membership, I value my AWHONN membership and have been
an active member for over eight years.  I even served on JOGNN's panel of
manuscript reviewers for two years.  The message AWHONN sends about
promoting nursing excellence for women and newborns is mixed when we
conduct ourselves in this manner.  I'll be e-mailing my opinion to AWHONN
today.

Whenever I go to any conference that has a formula company as a sponsor or
anything that promotes anything other than breastfeeding, I am certain to
note it on my post course evaluations.  I also take the time to speak to
the people who put an incredible amount of time into coordinating the
program and tell them personally- #1 My overall impression of the
conference, which is usually favorable and #2 my dissatisfaction re:
promoting something other than breastfeeding.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to get this message across to AWHONN
without coming across as a breastfeeding wacko? Has anybody out there ever
considered forming a specialty group in AWHONN for LCs, CLEs, CBEs, and the
like?  Maybe strength in numbers is the key to this?

Thanks for the ear,

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Birth and Breastfeeding Resources
Manhattan, KS USA
griese@networks plus.net