The subject of this message is the actual headline that the
Washington Post composed to report the findings in the study
earlier cited by Kathy Dettwyler.  At first glance, it appeared that
they were saying that second-hand smoke and breastfeeding were
both linked to increases in SIDS!  I was surprised and appalled
when I realized how misleading the headline was.  I am planning to
write a letter to editor and/or ombudsman about this.

On the plus side, the article has already been "Weissingerized".
Here is the full text of the article in today's newspaper:

****** begin quoted material ******

New mothers who don't breast-feed and those who smoke after
giving birth place their babies at strong risk for sudden infant death
syndrome, government researchers said yesterday.

Placing babies on their backs for sleep has long been the focus of
the campaign to prevent SIDS, which kills about 3,000 infants each
year.

But a study presented at a Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention conference in Atlanta suggests that breast-feeding and
protecting babies from secondhand smoke may be just as important.

The study of 117 SIDS cases in Louisiana in 1997 and 1998 found
55 percent of the deaths could have been prevented had the
mothers breast-fed their children. Studies have shown breast-
feeding can help prevent respiratory problems sometimes related to
SIDS.

The study also said 27 percent of the deaths could have been
prevented if mothers had not smoked after delivery, exposing their
children to secondhand smoke.

****** End quoted material *******

Rachael Hamlet, LLLL
Falls Church, Virginia - where our summer thunderstorm season is
getting off to an early start

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