To all midwives:

        Sorry, I did not intend to put down midwives.  I agree with Ms. 
Simpson's saying that midwives are an important part of the health 
delivery system. I am one of the strongest proponents of midwifery I 
know.  However, the comment comes out of a disappointment that some 
midwives (not all midwives‹‹never suggested all), are buying into the no 
breastfeeding and/or separation approach in a situation where it makes 
absolutely no sense.  If more midwives helped more mothers in labour and 
birth, we would have a lot more successful breastfeeding going around.  
But if midwives had bought into the physician view of childbirth, there 
would never have been the changes in maternity routines we have seen 
over the past few years.  I just would have expected midwives to be more 
sceptical.  And they need to remain sceptical not just in the area of 
pregnancy labour and birth, but also the whole continuum, which includes 
breastfeeding.

        Boy, you do have to be careful about the throwaway lines, eh?  It's not 
the main points, its the side comments that get you into trouble.  Mea 
culpa!  

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC