"Hey, We have a bunch of brillant researchers!!! They have DISCOVERED that babies experience less pain when held skin to skin with mom." This is the study: Skin to Skin Contact Is Analgesic in Healthy Newborns. (Pediatrics Jan.) [disclaimer - it was done at my hospital, Boston Medical Center but I was not involved] Until we have 100% of MDs recommending, supporting, and knowledgeable about breastfeeding; until we have 100% of US hospitals delivering babies skin to skin; until we have kangaroo care practiced routinely in all our NICUs - we need randomized controlled trials like this which support everything we are working for. Pediatrics is the pediatrician's 'gold standard'. Randomized controlled trials move the medical mind. This data makes doctors listen. This is the paper we wave in the face of that irritating neonatologist who wants the baby examined away from Mom in the nursery. When we are trying to convince medical personel, we MUST HAVE this documentation. Boston Medical Center became Baby Friendly because we had pediatricians, obstetricians, neonatologists and family practitioners on board. And they were on board because an enlightened and powerful pediatrician was leading the charge, and she educated them on their terms. Credible data well presented can transform an entire institution. We complain constantly on Lactnet about doctors and hospitals and we are right. But if we are going to fix them, we should stand up and cheer for studies like this. Without them we will always be frustrated. Anne Merewood IBCLC Director of Lactation Services, The Breastfeeding Center Boston Medical Center *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html