Keeping abreast of the times
By Charlotte Halle
Ha'aretz English Edition
22/02/2003

"Esther Grunis likes to recall the time she was thrown out of a well-baby clinic in Jaffa about 10 years ago and told never to set foot in a Health Ministry clinic again - as if she were a member of some "breastfeeding cult." Now Grunis, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) qualified, and one of Israel's most experienced lactation consultants, can laugh at the story because she is the main lecturer on breastfeeding for staff at the well-baby clinics across the country, which are known locally as `Tipot Halav.' She is employed part-time at Lis Maternity Hospital in Tel Aviv Medical Center (formerly Ichilov) and in addition to training staff, she runs workshops on breastfeeding for pregnant couples, new mothers going back to work, moving from breast milk to solids and - her own creation - a course which grandmothers and other carers can join. She also runs one of the hospital's expert Internet forums. It's not bad progress in just a decade."