I have been on Lactnet for many years, at least since the fall of 1995, and maybe earlier.  I was a La Leche League leader (since 1989), also a Pediatric Nursing Instructor and Clinical Nurse Specialist by background, and then became an IBCLC in 1994.  Maybe it was Vergie Hughes who first mentioned Lactnet in her week-long lactation course that I attended at Georgetown U. in February 1994, or maybe it was my local mentor, Wisconsin IBCLC Ruth Sweet who introduced me.  or maybe I learned about it at the ILCA conference in 1994 in Scottsdale, Arizona.  In any case, I was soon addicted.  

All of us on Lactnet develop special areas of expertise within the lactation field.  Lactnet has helped me learn so much over the years in areas outside my own individual comfort zone and personal experience.  When I have posted questions I have gotten wonderful helpful suggestions.  What I like best is the unexpected directions that the discussions can take, the worldwide perspective, and the new information that pops up that I might not otherwise have heard about for a long time. 

 I remember the early days when Kathy Auerbach was a frequent voice here.  I remember when Jaye Simpson was brand new to the lactation field and posted many, many questions.  Now she is an expert in breastfeeding and gender identity and a polished and riveting speaker at international conferences.  I still have my “Latch on to Lactnet” T shirt, which we all wore to an ILCA conference, and we used to have special tables at lunch for Lactnetters to meet face to face at several of those conferences.   I remember with great fondness the posts by Esther Grunis from Israel with descriptions about how she taught about breastfeeding to a roomful of hostile nurses, defusing the situation with humor and warmth. (See her post from January 21, 2006 titled “Nurse education to hostile audiences.”)  

I have learned so much over the years from so many posts, especially those by Rachel Myr, Liz Brooks, Laurie Wheeler, Karen Gromada, Karleen Gribble, Diane Wiessinger, Nikki Lee, Marsha Walker, Susan Burger, Nancy Mohrbacher, Jeanette Panchula, Virginia Thorley, Maureen Minchin, Nina Berry, Linda Smith, Jean Cotterman, Pamela Morrison, Kathy Dettwyler, Chris Mulford, Morgan Gallagher, Teresa Pitman, Cathy Watson Genna, Winnie Mading, Jean Ridler, Anne Eglash, Nancy Wight, Frank Nice, Heather Welford Neil, Arly Helm, Melissa Vance, Marianne Vanderveen-Kolkena, Norma Ritter, and countless others from all around the world.  Many of these voices of wisdom who used to post often are no longer active on Lactnet, and I do miss them.  But I continue to learn from all those who are active participants today.  Lactnet was invaluable as a resource in preparing me for taking the IBLCE exams,  (re-certifying by exam in 2004 and 2014).  It helps me to keep abreast of new developments, new articles, new ways of thinking and looking at issues and challenges.  Thank you for this wonderful and caring learning community!

Anne Altshuler, RN, MS, IBCLC, LLLL
Madison, WI, USA
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