Dear Dr Whelan:

You wrote "It's very discouraging to be lumped together with those
physicians who may not be entirely ethical."  I am very sorry if something I
wrote offended you and the other physicians on Lactnet.  That was not my
intent.  Somehow I am missing some digests that contain my last postings, so
I am unsure exactly which posting you are referring to.

I was very excited at the warm reception I received from the Family Practice
Residents when I spoke with them.  I decided to bring up that breastfeeding
would be healthy for their practice because of the cost savings that they
would incur in a managed care environment.  I don't mean to imply that anyone
is unethical, but in a world where many physicians have bought the formula
company line that it really doesn't matter how a baby is fed, it gives  the
physician more of a personal interest is seeing that mothers and babies are
successful breastfeeding.  I see this as a win-win-win situation.  What
surprised me was the blank looks that I received when I mentioned managed
care and capitation.  I would have expected that would be a subject that is
discussed at lunch, etc.

Please accept my apologies and my enthusiastic applause for your personal and
professional commitment to breastfeeding.  What a marvelous role model you
are to your patients and community.  I choose to think of myself, not as a
zealot, but as ultra-conservative.  Those who zealously promote non-human
milks are really the people out on a limb!

Humbly,
Martha Brower RD LD IBCLC

PS.  If you think it would make things better, I will apologize on Lactnet.
 Please let me know exactly what I said that was offensive.  Thank you.