Here's my letter, any comments before I mail it. We have to be gentle with
these types.

Vernon Sikes, Managing Editor
Yazoo Herald
P.O. Box 720
Yazoo MS 39194

8-9-97

Dear Mr. Sikes:

I am writing about your early August "Fed up with Breastfeeding Week"
editorial.  Even though you say that "breastfeeding certainly makes sense"
and "breastfeeding is the desired source of nourishment for infants,"
editorials like yours really scare women away from breastfeeding.  Perhaps
this was your intent.  But it seems your real gripes are with public
breastfeeding and waste of taxpayer dollars promoting breastfeeding.

I have worked with thousands of breastfeeding mothers over the past 15 years
and one overwhelming concern from almost everyone of them is to be able to
breastfeed without exposing anything or offending anyone.  This is one of the
major reasons why women do not try breastfeeding at all.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, WIC, the US Dept of Health
and Human Services and many other organizations all actively promote
breastfeeding as the best method of infant feeding. Breastfeeding is one of
the most effective and economical ways to promote good health, and not
breastfeeding negatively impacts the health of babies, mothers, and society
as a whole.  This will cost taxpayers far more in the long run.

Why do we need World Breastfeeding Week to promote breastfeeding? Because
healthcare workers (including obstetricians, pediatricians, and nurses) and
the general public know so little about breastfeeding.  Some mothers-to-be
read books during their pregnancy or take a class during their last
trimester.  This preparation is helpful but often inadequate, especially in
light of the misinformation and mismanagement they are likely to encounter in
the healthcare system.

The many breastfeeding advocates that I work with locally and around the
world are not free-love hippie liberals, but healthcare providers that are
truly concerned about the health of mothers and babies.

Sincerely,


Laurie Wheeler, RNC, MN, IBCLC
Coordinator, Louisiana Breastfeeding MediaWatch
ILCA region 6 representative
3408 Acorn Drive
Violet LA 70092