Four years ago,  as an NP I took the UCLA lactation educator course and
started a new career.  IT is hard to believe the metamorphisis that has
occured both within myself and among the docs I work with.

 Today I was happily recounting the success story of one of my mothers.   I
mentioned that I didn't think she would stick with it as her husband was
asking questions like, "What do you think of this formula, is it the best?."
The physician then said, "Yes,  I don't know what to say to them either when
they ask that,  I just don't see formula in the same light any more.  Really
its just which one will the kid be able to tolerate."

  When any of our 700 patients a week come into our office most of our exam
rooms have a poster about breastfeeding, if not a picture.  We have
breastfeeding pillows in our baby rooms.  We have implemented all of the 10
steps.

Last week I needed some formula and we had to go borrow it from another
office downstairs.  (But first I had to tolerate some raised eyebrows, some
ribbing,  and looks of shock)

We are part of a grant looking at the effectiveness of handing out
breastfeeding literature at each prenatal and well baby visit.  About 50% of
the prenatal participants have completed the first leg of the program and
there is a definite shifting and increase in their goals in respect to the
number of months they plan to exclusively breastfeed as well as the planned
overall duration of breastfeeding.  Now we just have to see if they are able
to meet their  goals.

The process of change is not easy for any of us.    I have had to endure
hostility, ridicule, anger as I am sure you have as well.  Funny , I don't
think I had never even heard the my least favorite term,  "breastfeeding or
nipple nazi" before taking that class.

But every child I saw today at work was either being breastfed or had been
breastfed.
And the doctors I work with are truly "Getting it."

Some day they all will.  Chris Betzold NP IBCLC MSN

<A HREF="http://www.starfireinternational.net/breastfed">http://www.starfireinternational.net/breastfed</A>

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html