Joy Berry Parks wrote:

<I am hoping for a rousing debate on this one because I suspect the answer
is
not cut and dried.

Which country is the most breastfeeding friendly?>

This is an interesting question.....

Does it apply to all countries or only those that have sabotaged the natural
order of things and are trying to re-establish what Mother Nature designed?

Here in Micronesia, the outer islanders all breastfeed. There is no choice.
On the main islands where formula is available, the birth attendants do a
tremendous job of encouraging women to breastfeed. No samples of the
alternative stuff are available at the hospital where most women give birth
here in Pohnpei state. Ninety-five percent of women initiate breastfeeding
immediately at birth in the delivery room. Many quit by 3 months and feed
their babies with bottles all the horrible white substances imaginable, many
of which are downright dangerous. Diarrhea and dehydration are big problems
in this age group for the non-breastfeeding population here.

So who is more breastfeeding friendly? The midwives and medical officers at
the hospital who work work work to dispel myths and promote breastfeeding or
the outer islanders who do it because there is nothing else to do ?


Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie, Midwife
East Caroline Islands, Pacific Ocean

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