I've emailed the author that this study should be divided into "really breastfeeding" and "artificial feeding," as that will also affect the couples and the outcomes. Judy Ritchie http://www.tribnet.com/frame.asp?/entertainment/home_family/0815s12.html Expectant parents sought for relationships study at UW Workshop hopes to counter decline in marital satisfaction Debbie Cafazzo; The News Tribune "It will change your life," veteran parents tell first-time parents-to-be about life with baby. "But in a good way," the veterans add with a wink and a smile. They'll warn expectant parents about impending changes in movie and restaurant choices. They'll even joke about the effects of sleep deprivation. But what most friends and family members usually don't mention is a trend well-documented in family research: a drop in marital satisfaction once the kids arrive. University of Washington researchers are seeking 200 expectant couples in the Puget Sound area to test a workshop and support group program designed to promote healthy marital and family relations. The workshop is designed to promote the health of couples' relationships during the stressful transition to parenthood, according to Alyson Shapiro, a UW psychology doctoral student who is coordinating the project. It will also emphasize ways to help new fathers become involved parents and teach new parents about infant development. Special attention is directed at fathers, Shapiro said, because men sometimes withdraw from their role as parents and focus instead on the provider role when a baby arrives. The study, to be conducted under the direction of UW marital researcher John Gottman in conjunction with Swedish Medical Center, will offer couples selected to participate a free weekend workshop. Couples can earn up to $445 for their participation. Couples chosen for the study will randomly be assigned to attend the workshop either before the birth of their child or at the end of the study. Some will be randomly chosen to participate in support groups. The study will consist of a pre-birth interview and laboratory session during the third trimester of pregnancy. During a home visit, they will be asked to discuss their hopes, worries and expectations following the arrival of the baby and to talk about an area of on-going disagreement in their marriage. Follow-up visits will be scheduled when each couple's baby is about 3 months old, and at age 1, 2, 21/2 and 3 years old. The study is open to all expectant couples, not just first-time parents. Researchers will interview possible study participants at least through December. For more information, call Shapiro at 206-616-5501 or 206-543-4195 or send e-mail to [log in to unmask] - - - *********************************************** 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