Editor:
      Dr. Stuttaford's "When breast is no longer best for the loving mother
and child" from your May 21, 1997 issue was an interesting illustration of
how personal bias so often passes for "medical " advice. This piece being
situated in The "Medical Briefing" section makes one think that the
information presented would be scientifically sound and yet much of the
information presented was wholly unsubstantiated by both anectdotal AND
scientific research. Here are a few obvious examples:
    ~although cuddling during feeding is an important factor in establishing
bonding,  the statement that "careful bottlefeeding will to a large extent
alleviate any problems cause by lack of breast milk" is totally unfounded
scientifically. Careful bottlefeeding of artificial infant milks will not
"alleviate" the increased incidence of gastrointestinal diseases, Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome, middle ear infections, childhood cancer, juvenile
diabetes, or lower IQ, nor will it "alleviate" the later health problems that
adults who were artificially fed as children are at risk for such as Crohn's
disease, breast cancer, allergies. and a multitude of other illnesses.
Journals which carry these very facts are readily available to all medical
professionals. Since the immunities provided by a mother's milk are active
for as many years as nursing continues, the statement that "the full
advantage to the baby's immune system" is gained after  "3 months" of nursing
is also scientifically unsubstantiated. According to Katherine Dettwlyer,
PhD, ..."it is clear form the medical research that the longer a child is
breastfed, the better the health outcome for that child, even under the best
First world conditions."
     ~ it is also interesting how Dr Stuttaford, and Dr. Lewis who is quoted
in the article, speak of "overdependence" of the child on its mother, but
cite no studies to prove this effect of following that natural course of
breastfeeding to its natural conclusion. This is presumably because there are
no studies proving this hypothesis.
Children do sometimes have difficulty separating from their mothers
prematurely - this is a consequence of a normal stage of development. One can
only surmise that physicians who are worried about these problems of
"overdependency" have seen thousands of nursing preschoolers who had trouble
"starting  at the nursery school" compared to the thousands of prematurely
weaned children who must never have this trouble. If this has not been their
experience, their conclusions are based solely on personal conjecture;
another example of personal bias touted as scientific fact.
     ~ the idea that the normal suppression of ovarian function would lead to
"ovarian dysfunction" , the "erosion " of sexual desire , and an increase in
osteoporosis, also runs counter to current literature reports. Indeed there
is evidence that breastfeeding decreases the risk of osteoporosis, and that
two years or more of nursing actually reduce a mother's chance of breast and
ovarian cancers. At around the middle of the first year, mother's milk is
usually complemented by solids and cup-drinking, as part of the natural
course of development. In time menses returns - even though the human child
benefits immunologically, nutritionally, and emotionally from continued
nursing, the mother's ovarian function is not totally supressed by continued
 nurturing through breastfeeding. Sexual desire is affected by so many
factors- some nursing moms find it increased , others decreased-to attribute
its "erosion" to breastfeeding alone seems silly.
     ~with all that children need: food ,drink,  snuggling, being read to,
played with, bathed, etc. it seems ridiculous to suggest that a nursing
relationship with mom would take away dad's opportunities for interaction.
     Your paper would do your readers a great service, and possibly avoid any
long-term consequences of printing "medical " advice which runs counter to
current scientific literature, by printing a follow-up piece. This piece
could be written by someone with actual knowledge of the field of lactation
and its impact on the health and well-being of those involved in the nursing
relationship.


                                                                   Sincerely,
                                                                      Judy
LeVan Fram, MEd, PT, IBCLC