Dear Lactnetters,
I am currently off lactnet, but I had to pass on this discovery.
Forgive me if this has been noted on the list the last several days
I have been nomail.  I know that the focus of the article was discussing
treatment of lactation suppression, but nowhere in the article did
I find that they real treatment of this problem is to convince more
women to breastfeed or to pump and donate their milk.

Perhaps interested readers will want to direct a letter to the editor of
the journal. Unfortunately I have been unable to locate an email
or snail mail address for them.
>>>>>
Treatment for lactation suppression: Little progress in one hundred years
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 179 . Number 6 . December 1998

Authors
Alison M. Spitz MS, MPH
Nancy C. Lee MD
Herbert B. Peterson MD

Reprint requests:
Alison M. Spitz, CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy, Mailstop K-35, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724.
Abstract
Our goal was to characterize the postpartum symptoms experienced by women
who do not breast-feed and to review data on the efficacy of nonpharmacologic
methods of lactation suppression. The placebo arms of randomized clinical trials
of pharmacologic methods for lactation suppression were used to characterize
postpartum symptoms. A subset of the placebo arms was reviewed to assess
current strategies for treatment of symptoms associated with lactation
suppression. Studies of nonpharmacologic methods of lactation suppression
were also reviewed to assess efficacy. Engorgement and breast pain may
encompass most of the first postpartum week. Up to one third of women who do
not breast-feed and who use a brassiere or binder, ice packs, or analgesics may
experience severe breast pain. Specific studies of nonpharmacologic methods of
lactation suppression were limited and inconclusive. Available data suggest that
many women using currently recommended strategies for treatment of
symptoms may nevertheless experience engorgement or pain for most of the
first postpartum week. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:1485-90.)

First Paragraph
In the United States approximately half of women do not breast-feed their newborn
infants.[1] Most of these women choose not to breast-feed, but others may be unable to
because of maternal illness, newborn illness or death, or infant adoption. Women may
experience considerable pain and engorgement, as well as emotional pain, before
lactation cessation occurs, yet the prevalence, duration, and severity of these symptoms
are poorly characterized.
>>>>>>
Once again I apologize if this information has been previously reported.
Jon
Jon Ahrendsen MD ABFP
& Becky
parents of Andrea, Elizabeth and Karl
Clarion, Iowa