I agree, you have to be careful how you talk (and for that reason I would talk about the importance of breastfeeding and then the consequences of premature weaning) but if mothers are not aware of why breastfeeding is important and why use of other foods early is risky they 1) will not see the worht in attempting to avoid formula...they will see it as benign (my current favourite descriptior) or even better than breastmilk (contaminated with drug, chemicals or just when the mum doesn't have a good diet) and 2) will not complain about the system and society that sabotaged breastfeeding so exposing their babies and themselves to minor and serious risks. I thought we were over seeing women as frail little flowers who needed to be patronised and protected from difficult information. I just don't get it! We'll never see change if we aren't honest! Karleen PS...Anyone here a stats whizz...by my figuring that Botswana flood had 425 formula fed babies dying for every breastfed?? *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R). There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html