I agree - the Lactnet archives are a fabulous tool - and don't stop there!

My plea to all is that we continue to read the original literature on the
topics we are investigating - and not just the abstracts.

Make the trip to a medical library, search the stacks, enlist the help of
the librarian as needed, get or make a copy of the original article, and
read it completely. While you're at it, start your own collection of
articles for further reference - store them in file folders, ring binders,
or some other logical system.

I'm constantly reminded of how important it is to stay "up" on the published
original research on lactation related topics. One example is the old idea
that "drinking beer will help mom make more milk" - supposedly by raising
prolactin levels. The original research was done on adult MEN, not lactating
women. Besides, serum prolactin has little relationship to milk volume (see
Hartmann's research) and newer research shows that babies take LESS milk
when it's spiked with alcohol.

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre www.bflrc.com
6540 Cedarview Ct., Dayton, OH 45459-1214 USA
(937) 438-9458 email [log in to unmask]

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