Great exchange of thoughts: >But I want to see mothers at the heart of this, demanding and >creating the support they need. Heather, I agree! For so many new mothers though, I am not sure they have any idea what it is they need, but if they can get to a support group they are able to identify some kind of need and then follow their hearts... Eight years ago while receiving my CLE from UCSD it was a requirement to attend a LaLeche League meeting...I was astounded! The wealth of support and information was mind boggling and hey, these moms were doing it for free! I must admit that was the only meeting I attended, but I have been a supporter ever since. I received a call just yesterday from a mother I saw five years ago with a newborn and limited breastfeeding problems who moved to Whidbey Island in Washington. A quick internet check allowed me to forward her name to a leader who actively sought her out when she arrived there. This mom happily breastfed for 3 years with support. She is now feeling so good about her experience! Thanks to LLL women/people, this is an occurence they make happen every day, all over our nation - thank you, all of you out there! I do see a common thread in some of the 'professionals' feeling they know more, do it better, whatever you want to call it, it does exist. A few years back I suggested we rotate our breastfeeding support group led by an LC to rotate with LLL meetings in our hospital. I thought it would be a great way to introduce new mothers to LLL- I was shocked at the opposition from one LC and her thoughts on LLL. That was all the 'boss' needed to hear, to nix that idea. No controversy under our roof, and the sad part is, that is how some insiders see it, as controversy and competition and that is not what it is AT ALL! I believe we are ALL IN THIS TOGETHER! I don't want to be in it, if we're not... Anne Williams RN BSN IBCLC [log in to unmask] *********************************************** 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