To: Nancy Sherwood, Perth, Australia
From: Janet Thurston, Fairbanks, AK

I read your notation on SIDS studies coming out of Scandinavian countries.
You are right!  Colder climates like Scandinavian countries, northern
Canada, Greenland, Alaska etc. have higher incidence of SIDS, despite higher
breastfeeding rates.  Awhile back  I did a research paper on SIDS, with
particular focus on circumpolar nations and found that SIDS is number one
cause of infant mortality in Alaska, followed by infant infection: Good
reasons to fund lactation consultants, breastfeeding promotion and support!
Warm climates in general, do not have problems with SIDS, but it varies with
the risk factors.   In cold climates people tend to overheat their babies,
by bundling etc.  The studies done in England by Fleming are absolutely
fascinating.  They read somewhat like an epidemiologic Sherlock Holmes.  A
local pediatrician poo pooed my suggestion that breastfeeding is protective
against SIDS; "If our breastfeeding rates area so high, why do we have so
much SIDS?   My retort was the same; its multifactoral (and by the way Dr.
Pediatarician, here is the patient education document from DHHS validating
what I just said about risk factors.  Would you like some extras for patient
education in your office?  They would go nicely sitting by all of that
formula company "material" and by golly, they are free).   If  any
lactnetters want these materials for your favorite pediatricians office call
1-800-505-CRIB, or write to : Back to Sleep, PO Box 29111, Washington DC
20040.