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From:
Maureen Minchin <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 27 Oct 1996 11:03:07 +1100
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A few comments re earlier threads:
Thanks everyone re the graphite posts. Had I read closely enough to know it
was a homeopathic cream I wouldn't have worried (though dark colouring
suggests more than homeopathic doses of graphite...mmm) And coal-tar
derivatives are generally not recognised as safe for ingestion these
days.....

There is no real boundary between orthodox and alternative medicine. We all
set different tolerance points and feel comfortable with different things.
Some previously "alternative" ideas are now mainstream: Lactobacillus is a
good case in point, as is evening primrose oil, or for that matter asprin.
If we all were too afraid to try the alternative it would never get to be
mainstream. I have no problems with homeopathy, despite the fact that
anything powerful enough to work is powerful enough to affect someone
badlly. This is because there is zero risk of toxicity. There was also one
beautiful scientific report in New Scientist a few years ago (?1991)
suggesting that science is validating such effects: sometimes tiny amounts
are more potent to the immune system that larger doses. (No, I don't
remember the reference: it was one that got away, alas.) But these things
all involve informed risk assessment and some of us are more prepared to
take risks than others: within limits that's fine. (I'm still using gentian
violet first for thrush; think I can justify that from the literature.)

Now sage tea is one I don't feel comfortable with. If others do, it's not
my problem. They just need to be careful that it doesn't become a problem:
somewhere I read about sage oil being highly toxic (delay on this is
because I tried to find the reference: I think it was a recent New
Scientist? Will keep looking.)

>>It has been a very tiring week with Ben going thru another fever thing with
no other symptoms other than a fever and the inability to sleep without being
held and while in bed with us, tossing and turning and keeping us up!

Consider allergy. Sounds very like it to me. And yes, a Medline search
under Kahn should turn up references for insomnia and allergy.Add in
unexplained fevers and you're talking about a non-infection activated
immune system: what else is more likely than allergy in the USA? try
keeping a scrupulously detailed diet, sleeeping, behaviour diary for two
weeks and see what emerges.

Loved everyone's Jane Seymour posts. UNICEF talks big about its
breastfeeding promotion but has not incorporated it in many areas of
UNICEF's own work. For example, since about 1983 I have been suggesting off
and on, to New York and Geneva, that there should always be a breastfeeding
Madonna in each year's Christmas cards, and (at least) another general
breastfeeding mother in the non-Christmas issues. In all that time I have
seen two: a Gauguin and a free special card they once did to promote the
GOBI (Global programme promoting breastfeeding, immunisation, oral
rehydration and growth monitoring. no longer talked about). Neither was to
be shown in catalogues where it might offend the US public. (At Geneva's
suggestion, I even took time out of an overseas trip (self-funded, at vast
expense) to go to the card HQ in NY once and this was the reason given me:
it might offend US customers. Heaven forfend!) Just stop and think of all
the myriad ways UNICEF interacts with the public and major donors, and ask
where breastfeeding fits in nicely: then look for it. Keep me posted.
UNICEF might respond if 1000+ Lactnetters wrote asking for breastfeeding
cards: there are thousands of wonderful images to choose from....try
[log in to unmask] Oh, and has UNICEF become a mother-friendly workplace
with 6 months' post-birth leave, breastfeeding breaks mandated and so on?
If they haven't, why should anyone?

Maureen Minchin, newly-recertified IBCLC (and I did better than last time
too, which should reassure my students!)

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