Susan,

I've also called the M-----a hotline, and the rep told me she was a
certified dietician, which is the requirement for working there.  Of
course, then I didn't know that the ADA is so pro-breastfeeding, and I
would love to call back and ask one of these "dieticians" if they know that
a major organization for their field is against what they're doing.

I think one of the biggest problems we face here is the lack of English
facilities that enable nurses to read actual studies.  Many just don't have
the skills and depend on their info from 10 years ago, or just their CERPS
(Hishtalmut), which is not enough.  Nurses should be required to attain
fluency in English, like the doctors.

One nurse was astonished that much of the breastfeeding research in the
world is actually carried out by health professionals and scientists who
aren't actual MD's, and that a large proportion is done by nurses
themselves.  She was surprised that nurses are trusted with "such great
responsibility".  (May just be individual ignorance.)

 A very good friend of mine who just finished her RN and is working in the
NICU told me she learned about breastfeeding in one of her nursing courses
from "Em V'Yeled", a magazine for new mothers with lots of ABM ads. This is
very scary. Luckily, she has Bf both daughters and knows a lot, or she
wouldn't be able to help others sufficiently.

Nofia
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