I have nothing but the greatest respect for anyone who publishes their
findings and attempts serious study of their specialty.  Chris Hafner-Eaton
is to be commended for her efforts.

My concern about use of shields, other types of breastfeeding equipment, and
of herbs is always that they be used intentionally, in an informed clinical
sense, and that the person suggesting their use is acting within the scope
of their practice (an ethical issue that concerns us as individuals and as a
profession) and that they do not employ therapies that put their clients at
risk.  Herbs may be a choice that parents have a right to employ, but I have
an obligation to comment if I think that this choice places someone at risk.
My comments were to point out that there is a lack of critical thinking and
discussion in many of the comments about use of herbs.  I certainly don't
defend ignorant use of shields.  The reason for the comparison was to point
out an irony in our thinking.  It's a Tarzan thing:  Shields Bad, Herbs
good.  Science is more complicated than this.  Hopefully, as scientists, we
can have intellectual discussions about these issues without suspecting one
another of personal attacts.


Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates, Austin, Texas
http://www.lactnews.com

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