Jane:  I also get upset when doctors and other hcps discount bf's family
planning worth.  It is worth obtaining a stack of Dr. M. Labok's work on
the LAM and the statistical results just to be able to hand out to doctors.
It astounds them to hear that we are talking about 98%+ efficacy in the
first three months when all three criteria are met and 95% from months
7-12.  Her work seems to demonstrate that 95% of women will have menses
FIRST and then ovulate.  Apprarently, this has been verified clinically.
She presented at the LLLI conference two years ago and stated that the
early results even from employed populations show that there is still
somewhere between 93-95% protection.
        Why is it that "we" are willing to prescribe bcps with known risks
and also failure rates without presenting this as an option.  I see sooooo
many moms who have had their milk supply doused by estrogen prescribed at
their 6 wk pp check-up.
        I do know that we in the US tend not to bf the way LAM is most
effective--on demand, throughout the day and night (with co-sleeping), and
without pacifiers and supplementation.  However, there are plenty of moms
who do live this way (I do) and should be educated to another positive
benefit. Herrumph!

: )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC  email: [log in to unmask]   : )
: )HSR & Health Educational Consultant        voice/fax: 541 753 7340    : )
: )LLLLLLLLLLLLL**CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!**LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL : )