Elliott M Blass "Milk-induced Hypoalgesia in Human Newborns."
Pediatrics Vol 99 No 6 June 1997, pp 825-829

This objective of this study (Dept of Psychology, Cornell Uni) was
to determine whether milk and its components reduce crying in
newborns during and after blood collection for PKU evaluation.

Guess what?  Two Ross (named) formulas were tested, as well as fat,
protein, lactose, sucrose and water.  No mention of breastmilk.  The
author concluded that milk and some of its components are
antinociceptive in human newborns  and stated in his conclusion that
"These findings are of potential clinical significance: natural
protective mechanisms, normally engaged during suckling, may
*safely* (my emphasis) and noninvasively be activated to reduce
newborn crying to painful stimulation".

I have two questions:
1) who funded the research? I have only read the abstract, does
Pediatrics give this information?
2) how long till we see hospitals routinely giving babies, breastfed
or not, a few ml of formula before a painful procedure? No need for
comforting babies with suckling!

Ros Escott BAppSc IBCLC