My friend works in a hospital with a NICU that cares for about 30 new patients every month. She is writing a research proposal for funding to assess the impact on breastfeeding success and milk volumes, by incorporating a milk expression program into early post partum care of mothers with babies in the NICU-by the provision of hospital grade breast pumps to take home for as long as necessary, support and information. This is opposed to leaving mothers to manage with the standard NICU lactation care, which is minimal and not highly skilled, and offers breast pump availability on the ward only, for mothers visiting their baby/ies. Is it possible for this question to be addressed in a randomized trial? If randomization is not an option can anyone suggest another study design? We are concerned that there are serious ethical implications in denying pumps to mothers in the control group when there are in fact pumps available. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Meg Kingsley IBCLC Dubai UAE -- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 7.0.211 / Virus Database: 261.6.2 - Release Date: 13.01.2004 *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go 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(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html