It was mentioned that there should be medicated vs unmedicated APGAR
standards, just as there should be different growth charts for ABM and BF
babies.  Actually, wouldn't it be better to get a new set of standards
based on normal birth (unmedicated!) and breastbed babies, and compare
medicated babies and ABM fed babies to it?  Then we would know, not how
they compare to other artifically fed and birthed babies, which is not
all that useful, but we would be able to tell how healthy they were
compared to what nature intended.  This, of course, requires a basic
understanding that nature is best, which is sorely lacking in the US.

Next item:  William Sears has a great book for all parents, especially
new  and pregnant low-AND-high-risk parents about SIDS.  It's
non-threatening, clear, readable, and reasuring.  He also works hard not
to make parents who've already had a child die feel worse.  He quotes his
own research as well as others'.  I am very glad that SOMEONE is talking
about what we can do, naturally, by improving parenting styles, to
prevent at least a few of these deaths.

Colleen Humphreys, [log in to unmask]