In a message dated 1/18/99 4:30:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> Take the SIDS data, for
>  example: there's a big jump from what Katie and Kathy say in the
>  above-quoted statements to saying "BF prevents SIDS".

Well, here's the crux of our quibble (sp?) then: I *don't* think that it's
much of a jump at all.  In fact, we tell parents all the time that the back-
sleeping position *prevents* SIDS.  But actually,  all we  really know with
precise accuracy is that  back-sleeping appears to lower the RISK of SIDS.  Of
course, there is no multi-billion dollar industry which stands to make money
off of babies being put to sleep on their tummies, so no one cries foul when
the poster in my pediatrician's office reads "Back to Sleep Campaign: Back-
Sleeping Prevents SIDS".  No one argues that it should read "Back sleeping
appears to lower the risk of SIDS- See Supporting References".

I think that only a small fraction of parents  in the U.S. have *any* idea why
it matters whether they breastfeed their babies. On some level they know that
"breast is best", but they really don't know any of the details. If
breastfeeding zealots were actually out there lambasting mothers with broad
and forceful information about the issue, parents wouldn't be so ill-informed.

Katie Allison Granju
6615 Crystal Lake Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
423.558.9159
Fax: 423.694.8506
e-mail [log in to unmask]

Attachment Parenting:Instinctive Care for Your Baby and Young Child
By Katie Allison Granju
with Betsy Kennedy, R.N., M.S.N.
Available from Pocket Books ~August, 1999