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Subject:
From:
Kathleen Bruce <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 6 Feb 2003 06:21:50 -0500
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 Good morning Nancy.  Thank you for your thoughts... on this.  It's so
very valuable to hear them.


I believe that the issue here is some nurses, physicians, IBCLCs, etc,
dieticians (name the group of choice) do *not* support breastfeeding, do
not choose to inform themselves about current evidence regarding
breastfeeding. Where is the excuse for this, is my question? If a
neonatologist did not inform themselves of current NICU research, or if
a surgeon did not become familiar with current technique based on recent
evidence, or if  a pediatrician did not become current with technique
involving treatment of diabetic children, would this be easily excused?

I guess I do not understand why this is not at *least* as important as
that to some medical or nursing or IBCLCs? I am not singling MDs out
here. It's all of us. Name the specialty.  We can all damn breastfeeding
with faint praise...

What does it take to convince a professional?  I remain convinced that
breastfeeding is a singular issue, apart from smoking around babies,
apart from using carseats, apart from immunizations, etc. It stands
alone because it is such a loaded issue.

Kind regards, and with respect, Kathleen



"doctors have "known" for years of the effects of formula use. "

NOT TRUE!!!  Most of the physicians (other than breastfeeding
colleagues) I
know do not really believe that breastfeeding is better for mother, baby
or
the economy.  They give lip service to the party line, but they do NOT
read
or believe the research.  They believe we breastfeeding zealots are
overstating the case.  I hear "I was formula fed and I'm OK" almost
daily.

One very good pediatrician I know claims (correctly) that none of his
breastfed infants are ever re-admitted for jaundice.  His secret? - he
has
every breastfeeding mother supplement with formula until the mother's
full
milk supply comes in.  I cannot convince him that he is increasing risks
of
any immediate or long term problems.

I believe that almost every physician really wants to do the best for
his or
her patients, they are just not convinced that breastfeeding makes a big
difference.  They rarely get the $$$ that hospitals do.
Nancy

Nancy E. Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC
Neonatologist, Children's Hospital, and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for
Women Medical Director, Lactation Services, Sharp HealthCare San Diego,
CA, USA

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