Sara Dodder Furr included this information from the researchers and asked for
comments:

"Women who breastfed less than 10 times a day had a
lower risk, possibly because this results in less nipple trauma. This
finding suggests nursing mothers may reduce their risk of developing a
mastitis if they limit the number of times they breastfeed to no more than
10 times per day. Duration of feeding made no difference in mastitis risk."

I think the conclusion drawn by the authors might be typical of someone who
doesn't understand the basic mechanics and physiology of breastfeeding and
points out that conclusions drawn by authors of studies need to be viewed
carefully.   I think many here at Lacnet might have come to entirely
different conclusions with that same information.    I would probably
theorize that it isn't the increased breastfeeding frequency causing the
increased risk for mastitis, rather it may be a suboptimal/shallow latch
causing traumatized nipples,  the need for more frequent feedings due to poor
access to the milk sinuses, and an increased risk for mastitis due to the
related milk statis and skin breakdown.

I'm sure I won't be alone in my thoughts about the conclusion drawn, nothing
brillant here, just ordinary stuff for most of us but, just wondering what
would be the best way to encourage the researchers to consider other
conclusions based on what we know about the dynamics of breastfeeding and
causes of mastitis?  I wonder did they do a literature review on the topic of
mastitis?   I am wishing we could someway help them to rethink their
conclusion before yet another study is published that will probably be highly
publisized and confuse breastfeeding women regarding the frequency of
feedings and how to minimize breastfeeding problems.   I am forever teaching
the women I work with that frequent breastfeeding reduces the risk of many
breastfeeding concerns.    YIKES one more conficting study to deal with!

Kathleen Kuhn
RN BSN IBCLC
ParentsPlace.com LC
Private Practice LC
Eastern PA

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