Cindy quoted Barbara,

<< Barbara eloquently writes : "I would urge restraint in our enthusiasm to
 uncritically embrace ideas, and temper this with an examination of the
 first rule of practice:  Do No Harm. This applies to the use of herbs and
 viatmins as well as of any type of equipment." >>

However, I would add to this that while we need to examine recommendations
and encourage publication of good research on new ideas, I do believe that if
a certain practice DOES NO HARM, and, in fact, may do a body good (use of
cabbage comes to mind here), then by all means, use it even if there is no
evidence based research (yet) on which to base the practice.

I have yet to find a study that says that cabbage is harmful, and I have
plenty of mothers that find it helpful.  And yes, if I had the time, the
energy, and the money, I would do a study to replicate the work cited in the
original article written in 1987 by Wendy Rosier in which she advocated a 2
hours on, 2 hours off regimen, NOT attempt to make up another study of my
own. I will admit that I have not been particularly impressed by the other
"research" that has been published on the subject....nor on the conclusions
drawn (necessarily).

When it comes to herbs, vitamins, and other pieces of equipment, we do need
to be cautious and careful, and examine all available written works on the
subject at hand.  For example, can nipple shields be a problem?  Absolutely!
In which cases?  When they are not used carefully, properly, with appropriate
followup, and so on.  Can they be helpful?  Absolutely!  When they are used
carefully, properly, with appropriate followup, and so on.

Jan B -- in cold Wheaton

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