In the current Journal of Human Lactation, Laurie Nommsen-Rivers IBCLC reviews the Chen & Rogan article which has been quoted in the media for its suggestion a 21% reduction in U.S. infant mortality for any breastfeeding, which converts to a 27% increase in deaths for formula-fed. More amazing, the Chen Rogan paper suggests a 1/.62= a 61% increase in infant mortality for no breastfeeding in the first 3 months of life. Nommsen-Rivers discusses the efforts made in the Chen/Rogan to compensate for confounding factors and the calculations involved, as well as many reasons why the Chen/Rogan paper may be actually underestimating the full life savings of breastfeeding: such as their exclusion of the numbers for the first month, where the most deaths occur, and of course the non- recognition of exclusive breastfeeding versus supplemented. Nommsen-Rivers goes on to discuss ways in which the paper could be overestimating the impact. "Death from injuries" is quite reduced in babies ever breastfed in the Chen/Rogan sample, which is a bit counter-intuitive to the actual qualities of breastmilk itself and may more reflect the attendant parenting practices such as differences in daycare use. I personally question the SIDS effect here, as some crib/bed deaths are classified simply as SIDS and some as suffocation or other "accidental" causes -- factors which are lumped into "accidental deaths" -- while it is becoming accepted science that breastfeeding reduces SIDS deaths. These papers lead certainly to even more-controlled studies in the future. *********************************************** 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