I got an email from an American living in Australia.  This is part of it,
just to let you know what they are doing in the golden land of
breastfeeding. For your interest, contemplation.  Read it and weep, those of
you in North America.

"The support systems here for new mothers is impressive.  I was allowed to
stay in the hospital for 6 days, with extensive help from the nursing staff
in establishing breastfeeding.  Within days of returning home, I was visited
by a nurse  to see that everything was ok.  I was encouraged to regularly
visit a (free) child health clinic, where the nurse checked my baby's
progress and provided assistance.  All nursing staff were
VERY encouraging of and knowledgable about breastfeeding.   When my baby had
sleeping difficulties, I became exhausted and stressed, which I think
affected my milk supply, which in turn worsened my baby's sleeping problems.
We then were admitted into a family centre, where we stayed for 6 days (over
Christmas no less) until the baby was more settled, I was more relaxed, and
breastfeeding had settled into a manageable routine.  Nursing staff at the
centre had undergone extensive training in lactation, and other mothers
present during my stay were receiving assistance with
breastfeeding difficulties.  All were successful; not one went home changed
to bottle-feeding."

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC