It is interesting that the recent HHS press release proclaiming that the
risk of transmission through breastfeeding to be constant over time is very
alarmist. In reality, this is good news. The calculated risk of transmission
0.74%/ month of breastfeeding is based on a worse case scenario of mixed
feeding (breast and other foods or liquids). This translates into a risk of
only 4-5% for the first 6 months. It means that the risk transmission from
breastfeeding during the first, most critical months after birth is far less
than previously believed. Coutsoudis's study which shows no additional risk
from EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding may further strengthen the evidence that early
breastfeeding is not nearly as risky as believed for the last few years. I
think this study highlights the deficits in our knowledge and the need for
more information before policy decisions are made which may have negative
population health impacts. I'd encourage you to visit the AnotherLook
website for more information about this issue. WWW.anotherlook.org.
AnotherLook, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to gathering
information, raising critical questions, and stimulating needed research
about breastfeeding in the context of HIV/AIDS. 

Warm Regards, Cathy Liles

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html