Nikki wrote
I heard from a woman on a task force in the state where our Sec'y of HHS
comes from. Mr. Thompson and his
cronies rejected 18 different attempts to include breastfeeding as a
protective measure against diabetes.

Prevention of Diabetes through breastfeeding is a major focus and suggested
objective in the Federal monies currently given to Native Sovereign Nations
(Indian tribes) in the United States.  At least in our area most of the
tribes have someone who is being trained to support breastfeeding, whether
they are starting with a nurse or with a C.N.A. that they are training.  We
are in year 4 of a six year (at present) funding to prevent diabetes and
prevent complications for those who already have diabetes.  During Diabetes
month (November) our PSAs will include one for gestational diabetes and one
for breastfeeding (I'm writing those today).  Perhaps since this funding is
controlled by IHS rather than HHS, philosophies are different.   Because
many tribes are rural, like ours, they are not generally starting with
IBCLC's because they aren't available, but are working toward training
people to support breastfeeding.

My personal background, besides 30 years of OB nursing,  is lots of years
of LLL membership and nursing one to 4 1/2 years (at which time we had an
I'm a big girl now party where she helped bake the cake),and tandem nursing
for 1 1/4 of those years, after which I decided I wanted some time alone
with my younger nursling, who continued on alone for another 1 1/4 years.
I considered taking a lactation consultant course in the mid 80s while in
the San Fernando Valley in California, but did not do so until last year,
when the tribe paid for it.  Now I am busy trying to accrue hours and
possibly will have enough to test in 2002 but more likely 2003.

We are encouraging 6 months of exclusive nursing and at least six
additional months of nursing after solids are started.   We are also
encouraging increased physical activity, decreased sugar, and decreased fat
for the whole family as additional means of preventing diabetes.

Sharon Jimenez MS, RN
Nurse Educator/Breastfeeding Specialist
Apache Diabetes Wellness Center
White Mountain Apache Tribe
Whiteriver , AZ (a mile high in a pine forest that goes up to 11,700 feet)

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