The effectiveness of meeting the right people and getting things done is
being felt in Puerto Rico.  They tried to get legislation passed based on
the WHO code, but were unsuccessful.  However, the Secretary of Health was
willing to listen.  SHE had a daughter who breastfed, and is a physician. 
She realized that their health care professionals were uninformed about
breastfeeding, and that breastfeeding babies and women come in contact with
lots of different health care professionals, not just pospartum nurses and
Pediatricians.

SO - last year she wrote a directive that requires all health care
professionals to take at least 3 hours of breastfeeding education in order
to renew their licenses.  (They are also required to have CPR and 3 hours
of education on HIV/Hepatities, etc. so there is a precedent.).

The Lactation consultants and La Leche League Professional Liaisons are
being kept VERY busy giving breastfeeding education!  Of course, 3 hours is
very little - but it certainly beats NOTHING, which is what they had
before.

Can this be repeated in the States?

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC, LLLL
Vacaville, CA
mailto:[log in to unmask]

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