>
>
>"There's a very well-established case to say nursing reduces ear infections,
>reduces gastrointestinal problems and has a positive immune effect," said
>Goldin.


Oh....is that not enough? Who wants more babies with *more* earache, 
*more* stomach upsets and *more* infections?

Sheesh.

This constant questioning of the research into the 'benefits' of 
breastfeeding is tiresome. But it is inevitable. If society only 
values breastfeeding in so far as it reduces illness in the developed 
world, and when the research fails to match the 'certainties' of the 
prospective study, or of the 20,000 subjects randomised controlled 
trial (as it always will), we will be stuck with 'claims' which 
people can belittle and then dismiss.

Listen up, you mathematics whizzes. I love research, and 
evidence-based care, and assessing research is one of my favourite 
bits of study at the moment (I am a Masters student of great age - 
certainly the eldest in my class).  I want any interventions in 
infant feeding to be demonstrably safe and effective, and you need 
research to be sure of that.

But enough with the 'does it *really* prevent diabetes?* already!

Breastfeeding is enjoyable. When it goes well, and it is supported 
and welcomed everywhere, when the barriers to doing it are minimised, 
women, on the whole, really love it. Babies really, really love it. 
All things being equal, they both want to do it for as long as they 
want to.

Randomise that :)

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK

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