Finally some good news!  According to the Jerusalem Post this morning,
some positive steps will be taken to promote breastfeeding in Israel.
This week's meeting at the Kenesset (Parliment) brought to public
attention what we've all been saying for years... nurses are influenced
by afternoon "teas" sponsored by formula companies; doctors have not
been doing their share in promoting bf; hospitals that give out formula
gift packages do not encourage breastfeeding and so on.  I was
especially happy to hear that the Health Ministry will crack down on
formula adverts.  They have asked the formula industry to voluntarily
adhere to the Code.  Since they don't, some legislation will need to be
introduced.

I am also happy to announce (don't I wound like a proud mother?) the
introduction of a course in lactation for health care professionals.
When we first advertised the course, we thought maybe we'd get a
handfull of participants.  To our surprise there is so much interest
we needed to order a larger room and we have waiting lists for the next
course.

We still have a long, long way to go before becoming baby friendly as a
country, but the dinosaurs in the government are starting to wake up.

Susan Nachman-Srebrnik, IBCLC
Ranana, Israel