Judy D. stated :

"I, too, want objective, scientific data on which to base my suggestions to
mothers, re any breastfeeding topic.  There is certainly a place for "gut
feelings," instinct, and intuition, but, we can't fall back on ritual and
"what everybody knows is true" as a foundation for practice.   If lactation
consultants want to be respected, and, more importantly, heeded by physicians
and other health professionals, we've got to have solid data to back us up."

Judy, I agreewith you that lactation consultants need firm research to back
up techniques and practices. What I find most interesting however, is the
fact that other health professionals sometimes do not feel this need...ie I
am  looking at formula feeding in this century. This is the  most incredible
experiment on human nutritrion in this century...with no proven benefits. It
was begun by physicians in late 19th century, if I can remember
correctly...and has continued to this day with no documentation of its
safety.  What angers me is that although WE are called upon the carpet for
documentation with a capital D, I find myself wanting to say, .."OK,...I
dont need to document the BENEFITS of bf...How about documenting the
BENEFITS of formula feeding. Why are LCs always on the defensive?   I
remember Jack Newman saying that although research is a good thing,....none
of us should bow down to the God of the double bind study..Breastfeeding
needs no defense.  (I get tired of providing it also....can you tell ? : )
.Amen....

Tripping off the high altitude soapbox...

Kathleen

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Kathleen B. Bruce RN, BSN, IBCLC (e-mail = [log in to unmask])
If you wanna see something cool...try this www page!
     http://www.mcs.com/~auerbach/lactation.html
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