In a message dated 6/30/99 11:54:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Take a look at Walter Rogan's research -- he has taken quite a
comprehensive
 look at this. Do a Web search and/or a Medline search ... >>


I am a mother who has participated in Dr Rogan's research. I was also a LLL
Leader at that time so I know several people in the study. I also know the
environment the participants are living in.  When looking at his results , I
think it is important to realize that the breastfeeding rate in Eastern NC in
the 1980's was probably less then 10% initiation.  I had a discussion with
him about how many of these mothers were exclusively breastfeeding and how
many were supplementing and he did not separate the groups.  My best friend
and I are probably the only 2 mothers who exclusively breastfed for 6 months
or longer! Also, this was during a time when Peds in Eastern NC were
recommending solids at 2 months of age.             ( Remember my MD stories
so think about what it must have been like in the dark ages!). So how can he
compare breastfeeding and formula fed babies if the majority of the
breastfeeding mothers were supplementing?
The way the research was conducted was they would call us in every month to
every 3 months and ask us questions like how many times each month did you
eat fish caught in Eastern NC, how many times a day do you drink milk, does
your kids drink milk etc. I often would estimate because I don't always
remember what I ate today, let alone 2 months ago.
The other point about his research is that he sent questionaires to the kids
by age 12 thoroughout adolescence, asking them to rate their sexual
development. It is for them to do  privately and is coded. There are cartoon
drawings that the kids look at and rate how close they look to the different
stages of sexual development. I have seen how my kids rated themselves and I
can assure you that my son  was no where near that stage of sexual
development! Hey, he's a typical male-he's got his pride!!!
Also, Dr Rogan has the moms send in the school report cards to score the kids
on academic achievement. I hate to think that his research findings is based
on my kids report cards. I gave birth to major underachievers! My daughter
failed Sports Medicine because she told a football player when asked for a
cup of gatoraid "What do I look like your mother-get it yourself!". She also
told the teacher she didn't shave any legs but her own and she definitely
didn't handle blood. She only wanted to learn physiology so she only
participated in that part of the class. Maybe my kids aren't good examples
for breastfed kids!!!

Barb Whitehead, IBCLC
Ayden NC

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