Hi All,
    Cathy, I didn't think you were on a high horse, I just think
sometimes we get caught up in only what we have to deal with and sort of
forget the rest of the world. I deal with a mixed population (military
[which is just about every culture/social group possible] and low
income/educated civilian population) and in the beginning I took the
lack of participation/interest/request for assistance/deaf ears as a
personal response. Now I take those who contact me, those who are
successful as the blessing of the job and everyone else as just people.
(It keeps me from being depressed continually - and from seeking another
occupation).
    Add to everything else you have written, social and cultural issues
and I consider any breastfeeding statistics above 0% a miracle in this
area. Especially since my military hospital is so inconsistant about
support of breastfeeding (it's our Peds MDs right now who  are our best
support - but that's a little late for me). And I'm combating an OB
orientation that allows 30 minutes for Army Community Service (ACS)
[here they just offer a few groups/meetings for parents] but 0 minutes
for LLL or an LC (and btw ACS tells the moms that WIC will provide the
formula for them - what a big lie and no help what-so-ever). Almost all
of my 'at risk' moms I get are from the Community Health Nurse whose
office has been are continual supporter throughout the years. The
civilian hospital isn't much better, although they have an LC on staff -
which beats the military hospital - but their rates are much, much
lower. And so it goes.
    BTW all, I love LLL - been a member almost continually since 1977 (I
know that dates me, even worse, that wasn't with my first child!?!) but
I rarely recommend the WAB - I try to find out who I'm dealing with
before I recommend any book.

Leslie Ward
Vine Grove, KY