Dear fellow LNers: I was asked by a professional public health
organization to make a recommendation about a conference to which many of
you may be invited. Here is my letter of response to the conference
organizers. As many of you know, I am passionate about bf (and completely
swamped right now with professional and personal responsibilities), so I
felt that this required a response instead of merely saying "no" as my
recommendation to those wanting to send their employees. If any of you want
to see the brohure, it is available at: www.cforums.com
Dear Conference Organizers:
After an initial reviewing your recent Contemporary Forums announcement
mailing, I was excited about many of the offerings in your upcoming
"Contraceptive Technology" Conference offered to "physicians, NPs, NMWs,
RNs, PAs, CHES, Researchers, and Public Health Officials". As a CHES,
IBCLC and Public Health Professional (PhD and MPH from UCLA School of Public
Health) working in perinatal health, I am always on the lookout for
promising continuing education offerings. Indeed, I was about to recommend
that both the International Lactation Consultant Association (as a
contributing member) and the Medical Care Section of the American Public
Health Association (of which I am an elected governing official) distribute
your announcement and encourage participation. However, upon further
examination of your publication, I have become dismayed by several issues.
From the endorsement list, content and particular statements listed below,
it appears as though the interests of pharmaceutical corporations have taken
a front seat to women's rights and health interests. Unfortunately, I have
at least two very serious concerns regarding the conference for which I
would like a response from an organizer.
First, your statement excluding the attendance of "children of any age" is
discriminatory to professional women who are currently breastfeeding newborn
babies who should not be separated from their mothers. There are many
professional, continuing education seminars of the highest caliber which
make arrangements for such attendees using the statement "non-separating
babies in arms" are welcome with the understanding that the mother will exit
if baby makes even "happy baby noises." I would be happy to share with you
some of the methods we have used in helping breastfeeding professionals to
be included in continuing education sessions. In addition, arrangements for
a nursing room would be appropriate if you were truly interested in
including these women. Breastfeeding is in both the interests of mothers
and babies (and their families), as well as society, the environment, health
care professionals who seek to prevent illness, and employers. If you would
like further information, peer reviewed citations or any other documentation
to support my statements, please feel free to request them from me.
Second, there is a very large growing body of peer reviewed of Lactational
Amenorrhea Method (LAM) birth control research, the most notable by Dr.
Miriam Labbok of USAID, that has been completely omitted from your syllabus.
Dr. Labbok's research among thousands of women using ecologic breastfeeding
shows that during the first 6 months post partum, the LAM is over 98%
effective as a method. From months 6-12, LAM is 95% effective. These
statistics are more impressive than many other recommended birth control and
contraceptive methods.
It is true that both of the issues raised do not enhance the profits of
pharmaceutical interests. It is my sincere hope that your planning
committee was merely unaware of the negative impact that these statements
and omissions have on breastfeeding professionals and on the continuing
education of perinatal health professionals.
Respectfully,
Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC
--Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC [log in to unmask]
Director, Lactation Consultant & Health Educator,
Infant Cuisine & Mother Care perinatal health care services
Health Services Researcher & Adjunct Faculty
--Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC [log in to unmask]
1807 NW Beca Ave., Corvallis, Oregon 97330 541-753-7340
mom, wife, active UU church member, educator, lactation consultant,
homeschool mom, researcher, scientist, author, organic gardener,
photographer, wilderness adventurer, lapidary creator, lousy cleaner;)
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