Liz, Anne and others:  Boy, this is a tough one and I can really see both
sides.  As an activist (when I'm not wearing my LLL hat), I firmly believe
that we are a society of closet nursers.  The only way this will change is
by having more women nurse their children in public, tell their
practitioners, WIC counsellors, and SSA people that they are STILL nursing,
and to actively contact legislators and media about bf injustices.  I do,
however, also understand the fear side that some "ignorant zealot SSA" will
rip their kids away.  There is nothing more powerful in this world than a
mother who feels like her children are threatened.  Now, if we could just
channel that fear a bit.

One thing I like to practice with moms is what they will say when someone
(a family member or otherwise) says "You're still nursing?!"  Role-playing
really helps (regardless of how stupid some of us feel doing it).  It is
especially helpful in a group setting where moms can benefit from the
cheering on of other mothers.  A suggestion that Liz made about carrying
around a briefcase of info...I actually DO carry around the LLLI fact
sheets.  You don't need a whole briefcase, just some credible blurbs from
those "big" medical journals.  Yes, people are totally taken off guard when
you turn the tables of power and say "Do YOU have any documentation that
YOUR position is the correct one?"  They usually get red in the face and
cower away.  If they stay and talk, consider it a "teachable moment."

Gee, I'm sounding like a breastfeeding-evangelist...

: )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC  email: [log in to unmask]  : )
: )HSR & Health Educational Consultant        voice/fax: 541 753 7340   : )
: )             **CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!**
: )   :  )   : )  : )   :  )   : )  : )   :  )   : )  : )   :  )   : )  : )