I just wanted to post a copy of the letter I sent to PBS regarding the Reading
Rainbow show recently aired. I'll let you know  if they respond. I found them
at <www.pbs.org> they have a very accessible area under "Talk to us" for
comments.

Lucia Jenkins,RN, IBCLC, LLL
outside of boston

LETTER
As a mother of 5 children, I have always loved Reading Rainbow, finding it
educational and of high quality and value. I am also a professional lactation
consultant in the medical field (breastfeeding support). I was dismayed and
apalled at the recent Reading Rainbow show on birth. The birth was wonderfully
presented, but you guys missed the boat with what followed. Every single baby
was shown eating from a bottle!! WHO/UNICEF has put a lot of energy into
promoting breastfeeding worldwide and has cited this kind of irresponsibility
as a major reason that the breastfeeding rate in the USA is so embarrassingly
low. Mister Rogers has done a fantastic job in presenting breastfeeding as the
optimal and normal way to feed an infant. You need to do your homework! I hope
this blatant omission of support for breastfeeding has nothing to do with your
station receiving financial support from pharmaceutical companies as has been
suggested by the professional lactation community. There are many places for
you to get updated information; please use them!!!

AAP (American Association of Pediatrics); ILCA (International Lactation
Consultant Association);  LLL (La Leche League). Dr. Jack Newman's WebPage
(www.erols.com/cindyrn/drjack0.htm

Sincerely,

Lucia Jenkins, RN, IBCLC