I too would like to know what bolshie means.  Diane your post expressed
my semtiments exactly and I disagree that you are not as articulate as
Richard!!  We need to stop worrying about the formula companies and keep
promoting and educating.
    The group I believe needs our strong attention is our OB and Ped Docs.
 If our Docs. truly promoted breastfeeding the way in my opinion they should,
breastfeeding would become the norm.
     When a mom sees her  Ped( especially a new mom) She hangs on every word.
 His/Her attitude about feeding is critical to that moms decision to initiate
breastfeeding ,( if its a prenatal visit) and how long to continue
breastfeeding.  Its my hope that more Peds will hire LCs or Refer to Lcs to
help in this critical area. This is what we need to be out there pushing for.

       As for the poor women in our country I think our Federal Government
has done enough harm already by handing all poor people Free formula. Instead
of trying to get the government to get  formula companies out of the picture
for us by not letting them advertise, why don't we demand that the goverment
stop buying all the formula to give out  in the first place.  Spend the wic
money predominently on breastfeeding promotion, education, and follow up
support for bf moms. I am not involved in Wic but i have heard that the
majority of costs are for purchase of formula and other foods.  If you want
the Government to get involved and help increase bf rates among the poor,(  I
personally would like the goverment involved in as little as possible) then
lobby to get more money for bf promotion in the wic program.  Stop worrying
about the formula companies.  As long as capitalism stays around( and I for
one hope that is a long long time for the sake of my children) marketing and
advertising are here to stay.  So lets all get out there and Advertise the
best product  available on earth for moms and babies.

Jessica Donahue RN IBCLC
Little Rock, Ar  ( yes, this may in part  explain my lack of faith in
Government :) )