Linda - thank you for your encouraging and inspiring words!! I feel less alone and more empowered. Regards Jean Ridler RN RM IBCLC South Africa [log in to unmask] The good news for today is that many skilled, talented, and smart people are working at ALL levels in the "systems" to make changes that support breastfeeding mothers. Peer counselors are far more widespread (and skilled) than ever before; mother-support-group Leaders conduct meetings all over the world and have been a MAJOR force in turning around the infant feeding practices. There are now almost 20,000 IBCLCs globally. At the policy level, over 20,000 hospitals have implemented BFHI, including entire countries. The bottom line? You don't have to do it all. At least not today. Trust your teammates. If you're up to your elbows in sore nipples, remember that there are others who are up to their elbows in Code monitoring, training health professionals, writing new policies and laws, analyzing the economics of infant feeding, and conducting fundamental research. It's OK to focus on what you CAN do, because you're not alone. Together we're making a difference for mothers and babies. *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome