A happy client recently sent me a cutting from the Dec 97 issue of Practical
Parenting, which I think is an an English magazine, and which I thought
might be of interest:

"Top marks for counsellors.  According to a new study, breastfeeding
counsellors - trained, non-medical, volunteer mothers - are often better
informed about breastfeeding problems than health professionals.
Researchers in Huntingdon sent questionnaires to GPs, health visitors,
midwives, and breastfeeding counsellors, asking what advice they would give
on 10 common breastfeeding problems, ranging from sore nipples to mastitis
and colic.  Although scores had increased since a previous questionnaire,
the answers given showed wide gaps in the recipients' knowledge:  GPs got
only 60% of their answers right; health visitors correctly answered only 65%
and midwives only 69%.  The breastfeeding counsellors came out on top with
75% of their answers correct."

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe