Hi all, much quieter day here at the AAP Conference. Less attendees
overall, fewer meetings, exhibit hall closed. Most of the BF section
meetings have finished up.
Here is some info I have gleaned, again, second-hand, by the nursing or
pumping pediatrician-moms using the lactation room.
This morning, the session on Viral Transmission in Breastmilk, apparently
basically said all viruses may pass into breastmilk, but mostly no
concern/restrictions with exception of HIV, which, in the US, the
recommendation is to not breastfeed if HIV+. However, ultimately the
choice is up to the mother. You cannot prohibit a woman from BF. (would be
nice to have legislation that says that- that aspect was not discussed).
There was a session on Preventing and Treating Obesity in Children. One of
my pumping clients (a pediatrician) attended and said there was NO mention
of BF lowering risk of obesity. She asked, at the end during Q&A, about BF
and Obesity and the speaker said, "oh yes, that should be on the
list...". Um, then, why WASN'T it???
I learned that the big BF ad campaign I mentioned the other day, currently
in planning stages, hopefully will be very big and very
positive. Developed by the US Gov Ad Council, in conjunction with other
big organizations like WIC and Health and Human Services (and, I think, the
AAP Section on BF), they will produce several Public Service Announcements
(commercials) promoting and educating re BF. There will be focus groups in
17 (?) states to determine the best messages, and best delivery. The ads
will be released in about a year. Some planners feel that the public
already has the message that breastfeeding has many benefits, so perhaps
these messages could be more focused on social aspects (breastfeeding is
normal. People do breastfeed), or about supporting women who are
nursing. These are just examples, not the actual planned PSA's.
Also in the works is a slide show and education program being developed by
the Section on BF, targeted to educate community groups of
physicians/pediatricians about BF and supporting BF.
Vaccines. Nasal flu vaccine may be approved within a couple of years. The
AAP does not feel that the number of vaccinations currently given during
the child's first year is overwhelming their immune system. Something
about the amount of antigens/antibodies exposure being a very minimal
percentage of the child's natural exposure or immune response. (actually
they were not talking about antigens but I can't remember the actual
molecular term, not IgA or IgE? maybe GGA? something like that? sorry, not
my area of expertise). Controversy re vaccines and autism- no proven,
period. Mercury, thimerosol, not an issue. (I know many list members may
have comments on this particular topic- invite interested parties to
discuss off-list or risk a scolding ;)
Sponsorship-yes, Jay, this conference was heavily sponsored by large
numbers of big pharmaceutical companies. There was no particular single
company that was more obvious than most. The exhibit hall is
astounding. It's rather like trick-or-treating for grown-ups. You should
see people walking around with giant (I mean, GIANT) canvas bags stuffed
with goodies and giveaways from the booths. Mostly little trinkets- pens,
pads of paper, little bendy toys, yoyos, small product samples (juice,
vitamins, lotion, soap) nothing expensive, just sheer volume. I made a
mental note to share this one with you all, I figured you'd find it as
amusing (in a way) as I did- at the Enfamil Lipil- Martek booth, they were
giving away little foam BRAINS and little foam EYEBALLS with the lipil
logo on them -those small hard foam things that you squeeze in your hand to
reduce stress- Get it? DHA-brain, ARA-vision? Didn't take any but now I
wish I had (to give to Marsha Walker!). Oh well.
Tomorrow: Sessions on food allergies. Tomorrow is day 6, last day.
Nancy
Nancy Holtzman RN BSN IBCLC
Great Beginnings New Mothers Groups &
Boston Breastfeeds!
64 Ledge Hill
West Roxbury MA 02132
617.323.9977
http://www.great-beginnings.com/group.html
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