In several recent posts, members have been dismayed by how fellow HCPs
can possibly remain unimpressed and unchanged in their professional
approach when the LC has presented him/her with a carefully gathered set
of studies that prove the LC's point.

But it's illuminating to see how we react when it's *our* ox that's been
gored, when, for instance, this study pops up that asserts something
like "breastfeeding increases asthma rates."  We've immediately pointed
out the flaws in the sample and the study's methods and definitions, and
found ways to dismiss the results.  We certainly didn't go tell our
asthmatic clients to stop breastfeeding.  It's only logical -- we "know"
that human milk is the normal and beneficial substance to feed a baby,
so it would take some real convincing to make us accept something like
this study.  I'll admit to having trouble wading into research reports
on HIV or CMV or anything that threatens my all-beneficent view of
breastfeeding, and also admit that my defenses are up (though I try to
be objective and read it all).

I'm not defending that asthma research..  I'm just using it to perhaps
provide the insight that if the other person "knows" that "breastfeeding
is over-rated," they're naturally going to pick holes in any research
that's presented.  I was impressed that Dr. Cordes felt that he and his
comrades were open to being proved wrong, but that's optimistic.  We all
have our biases, (even though ours is right!) so it sometimes takes a
mountain of convincing..

This is not to criticize anyone -- we need to believe in what we're
promoting, and I love the fire and fervor of the list.  But it might
help us have patience to realize that opinions aren't changed quickly.

Margaret Wills
LLLL

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