Gena,

Your information is correct in so far as the baking soda remedy _was_ in
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.  It was removed from the (I believe)
1987 edition, after much discussion.  A theoretical concern had been
raised that babies could experience electrolyte imbalances
(hypernatremia) as a result of supersaturated solutions being
administered too generously.  I was fairly closely involved with these
discussions because of my position on the Eastern US Professional Liaison
staff.  To my knowledge NO babies ever died as a result of this treatment!

I believe that fundamental to the decision not to reprint the baking
soda remedy was the availability of a low cost, effective alternative
(nystatin) and the fact that some researchers were reporting that baking soda
was no more effective than plain water in treating nipple thrush.

I imagine that Judy Torgus at LLLI could provide more detail if it is
needed, but I wanted to quickly respond to the erroneous idea that babies
died.  Many, many mothers used (and still use) this remedy and reported
success.

Ruth L.
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