Hi All,

After I wrote the last post on "Cultural Warping of Childbirth," I realized
there has been a lot of discussion about the impact on birth practices on
breastfeeding on Lactnet. I didn't save these posts, and reprinting them
from archives is against the rules. So here's my request -

The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (www.motherfriendly.org) seeks to
change the "system" in the same way that the Baby-Friendly Hospital
Initiative is changing breastfeeding policies worldwide. I'm very involved
in the MFCI, both personally and as ILCA's representative to the Coalition
for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) - sponsor of the MFCI. Please send
me your stories and your observations about how birthing practices affect
breastfeeding, both infant outcomes and maternal outcomes. The next CIMS
meeting is in late February, and I plan to take a folder of letters on this
subject from lactation professionals to the meeting. Please include your
name, credentials, work setting, and geographic region. Send these by
private e-mail and give me permission to use them. (Post a copy to Lactnet
if you wish.)  Please be as concise as possible without distorting the
events. Include suggestions or recommendations if you wish. Birth stories
without implications for breastfeeding are also welcome by private post.

Although the MFCI began and is based in the US, UNICEF has expressed
considerable interest in the Initiative, and several international
organizations have ratified the MFCI document. Stories from everywhere are
welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre
Dayton, OH USA
http://www.bflrc.com

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