I wanted to share some information with other lactnetters, and hopefully
some the highly creditialed members will repond. (e.g. MDs, PhDs, etc.)

I received a brochure to review for possible distribution to expectant
parents. It is called "Babies First!  What do you know about a baby's
brain?"  The back of the brochure sates that "this material was prepared as
a public service by The Coalition for Infant Development, a project of The
Dallas Foundation for Health, Education and Research.  The address is 1341
West Mockingbirtd Lane, Suite 700-W, Dallas TX 75247.  The phone number is
214-647-6786. The president of the organization is Ralph B Rogers and the
vice president is Elena Barr. "The foundation is determined to educate the
public ...on the importance of infant brain developent.."

The cover letter states that it is being used in the majority of large
hospitals in the metroplex and that the brochure was crreated with the
guidance of Dr. Charles Ginsberg, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at
University of Texas Health Science Center.

Although this brochure begins with a discussion of prenatal nutrition, and
continues the discussion of brain development through 36 months, NOT ONCE IS
BREASTMILK MENTIONED!!!

When I was contacted to see if I would like to use this brochure at another
large metroplex hospital for prenatal classes, I discussed the absence of
the subject of breastfeeding in the brochure.

I was informed that breastfeeding had been initially included in the first
brochure, but when reviewed at the medical school "by Dr. Charles Ginsburg
and others at the UT Southwestern Medical School"  it was deleted because
evidence regarding the role of breastmilk in brain develpment is too
controversial and inconclusive."

(Need I say that this is the department which trains pediatricians!)

I was told it would do no good for me to contact Dr. Ginsberg. That is
probably true, in that I do not have a medical degree or a PhD, but I will
anyway.

But it might do some good, if "experts" like other physicians were to
contact him, referencing the excellent research.

So this is a plea for letters from lactation experts to Dr. Ginsberg.  His
address is:

Dr. Charles Ginsberg
Chairman, Department of Pedicatrics
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Blvd
Dallas TX 75235

Thank you for the assistance and time.

Jeannette Crenshaw, RN, FACCE, IBCLC