HI all,
        Well I'm back -- after an exhausting "vacation" to visit family
across 9 states and 1500 miles I was blessed with the LLLI Conference. The
research presented was FABULOUS!!!!
        Betty Crase did her usual outstanding job of introducing, and
explaining for general use the research included in the 1997 Fact Sheet and
some under consideration for the 1998...
        There was a great guy, MD from Italy, Alfredo Pisacane who gave some
rousing good evidence on why exclusively breastfed babies are at LOWER risk
for anemia, not higher as is often currently told to parents. In addition he
reviewed the research pattern his group has followed on everything from
polio to tonsilitis and gee no big surprise, but ain't it great to see
published, exclusively breastfed babies have the best outcomes, least
incidence of disease, etc....
        For women's health the new is also very bright... DR. Roepke gave an
excellent talk on her research into women's health and nutrition --
especially the question of osteoporosis... and guess what folks? Women who
exclusively breastfeed for 6-9 months have a 73%, yes seventy three percent
reduction in the risk of osteoporosis --- YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
        Also a really well done session on allergies and food intolerances
and a nugget from that was that even one feed of that "other stuff" can, for
a lifetime, negatively impact a child's food intolerances from sensitivity
to true allergy...(I can see this being used for that twin case, Jay...get
the nurses without the know how off the floor!!!)
        Now I'd love to see some of this data used to force companies to
give paid lactation leave for one full year. ANd if a company interferes
with a woman's ability to adequately pump or have time off to feed her child
that they be sued and held liable for all the woman and child's medical bill
here on out!

        Miriam Labbok, MD gave an rousing talk at lunch on Friday about the
real costs of not breastfeeding, including a look into the HIV question...
She is a dynamic speaker and really wonderful in person as well (blush... I
had the opportunity to talk wiht her in the hall one day)... Most of the
speakers were also wonderfully accessible outside of sessions as well as
during. I got to meet some of the LLL founders, and Peggy O'Mara from
Mothering Magazine and geeze what a good time. I've never seen or heard so
many happy people and families. I don' thing the DC Hilton will ever be
quite the same --- I did overhear a bellman saying we were a much better
crowd than some even with all the babies around....

        One exhibit of interest, and when I unpack I'll find their proper
title and web page for you all was a new cup feeding device that a family
developed for their preemie (a rolly polly exclusively human milk fed from
day one now at the breast cutie!!) that is really nifty for preventing
pouring into the baby's mouth --- disposable, too so they'll come sterile
packed...
        Just have to say a thank you to the NOJO people if they lurk about
for loaning me a sling for the conference -- my 14mos old who hasn't agreed
to ride in one for 5 months decided at the conference with all the people
that he NEEDED to be held and carried!

        The NEW Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is out and I went to a session
on the changes to it and to the Breastfeeding Answer Book and I must again
without breaking too many Lactnet rules, encourage everyone to get and use
both with their mom's --- WAB especially looks really well done --- they've
made it much more mom friendly and best of all added references! sections on
dental caries, hormonal contraception, etc etc... Really well done. Also in
that section were some great reminders about using local libraries, college
libraries and the the LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information to come up
with info on those rarer of problems we all get asked about from time to time.

        I could go on and on but this is already too long -- I'm sure the
highlights will pop up as I go about my reading!

        It was great to put faces with the names of so many lactnetters --
we had tables for luncheon and it was fun to chat in person with you all
including, but surely not limited to our co-owner, Kathleen Bruce... a
delight to meet you!! It was also great to be stopped in the sessions or
halls by fellow lactnuts, even some "lurkers" to say, hey I recognized your
name and enjoy your posts.... yada yada yada...

All "juiced" up.....
Anne E. Robb, MAT, LLLL
Off on a Tangent, Oregon, USA
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