Before disappearing again, I'd like to ask Lactnetters' help to persuade
UNICEF to actually promote breastfeeding themselves via the millions of
visual images they produce and spread around the world annually. Since 1991
I have been asking that they produce at least one Christmas card that is of
Mary breastfeeding Jesus (there are thousands of classic and modern
depictions to choose from) which I would buy in bulk and use as my
Christmas card. Surely if 1000 Lactnetters were interested in buying
breastfeeding cards from UNICEF they could do an annual Christian one for
Christmas, secular one for World Food Day, Jewish one for Hannukah, all
purpose one to welcome babies into the world....the possibilities are
endless. Now we have a network surely these would sell? Who'd buy a UNICEF
breastfeeding calendar?

This plea was sparked by the fact that once again in mid December I am
listening to media reports of the Annual UNICEF Report, State of the
World's Children, and once again UNICEF spokespersons are saying nothing
about breastfeeding, though the theme is child malnutrition. Am I the only
person to find this strange? Is it only in Australia that UNICEF misses so
many chances to say that breastfeeding matters to so-called developed
countries and their children? Or is the double standard really alive and
well: breastfeeding matters only where the water is dirty and the mothers
uneducated (i.e., western city slums, but never mind them!!) What are the
reports like in other countries?? Does it depend entirely on the UNICEF
employees' personal preferences and priorities? And if so, I say let's all
encourage UNICEF to educate its own people about the CENTRAL importance of
breastfeeding to all its programmes... UNICEF undoubtedly does great work,
but it also misses such important opportunities, at least here in
Australia.  Maureen

Maureen Minchin, IBCLC, 5 St, George's Rd., Armadale Vic 3143 Australia
tel/fax till maybe end January or mid Feb: 61.3.95094929 or 95000648
tel/fax after that: will let you know
Address (date depends on renovations; will post): Christ Church Vicarage,
14 Acland St., St.Kilda, Vic. 3182 Australia