Dear Marsha, I'm sorry, I really didn't want you to be offended by what I said. I was not just replying to your post which is why I didn't quote you even though I did refer to your comment about Barry Ezzo. I also did not want to suggest that you or anyone else would recommend his writings but several people had suggested that they thought it was helpful to see products that mums are using- the good, bad and ugly was the inference. Having someone like Barry Ezzo there would be taking that to a logical conclusion- ugly or not mothers buy it. Right? I am offended by the inference that this is the same as inviting him to come to a conference and set up a booth. > There is not a one of us who would recommend his book or his method. This is not directly in reply to your post but a general comment and some questions based on much of what has been said in this conversation. I am not a HCP, I do not work in a hospital or any other health care setting but I read Lactnet and regularly (today included) I read frustrated people talking about how formula reps have come to their workplace and wooed staff, given them freebies and provided information about their product. They regularly express dismay that their colleagues don't understand the implications of what they are doing (and bear the costs themselves of being on their own against the status quo). They also express their frustration at other medical practitioners who accept funding, gifts, sponsorship from formula manufacturers etc and point at this and state that it is no wonder these people are not supportive of breastfeeding- they have such a nice cosy relationship with those working against it. They also state how they cannot believe that these HCP can state that they are professionals and can take from these companies without problems because they could not possibly be influenced. They also say that they can weed the truth from the frills in rep education. The concerning thing is that I have read several people state similar things on Lactnet. "we are professionals we are not influenced." (and I have no idea who the people were who said this so please don't think I am targeting anyone). I don't underststand, we're all people and if it didn't work they wouldn't do it would they? I also wonder how this makes those people who work hard in their workplace to not take anything from reps etc... do they feel let down? Karleen Gribble *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html