Dear Friends:
    James McKenna, Helen Ball and Linda Smith talked  for hours at an 
International Lactation Conference in Orldando, Florida about  current research on 
these topics. Their presentations were powerful,  inspiring, and loaded with 
ammunition to deal with today's witchhunt, a  diametric opposite to the hysteria 
that has swept across the USA.
    We can all ask for the research that shows that  babies sleeping alone is 
safe..................there is none. We can, as with  breastfeeding, insist 
on correct definitions. Is the infant alone in an adult  bed? Is the adult 
drunk or stoned? Is the infant breast or bottle-feeding? Is  there tobacco in the 
home? Was the infant trapped, strangled or over-lain (all  of which have been 
lumped in with 'sids') ? 
    With all the fuss and furor about the so-called  dangers of bed-sharing, 
I am furious and astounded that a true culprit in infant  death, i.e. tobacco 
in the home, is being virtually ignored by all these  campaigns. A token 
recommendation that parents not smoke is completely  inadequate in view of the 
dangers of tobacco to babies!
    Dr. Ball is presently awaiting publication of an  article comparing the 
impact of a solitary crib, a co-sleeper, and bed-sharing  in the postpartum 
unit on the initiation of breastfeeding. She filmed dyads  at night in the 
hospital to see what happened. This is a fascinating study, and  she is a top-notch 
researcher. I want our local hospitals to get co-sleepers for  everybody now!
    Dr. McKenna is very dear, and so brilliant. I love  his understanding of 
language and also how he has brought in the topic of morals  and judgements 
masquerading as science...................
    Linda showed the audience that formula companies  are funding some of the 
major anti-SIDS organizations. As research shows that  breastfeeding and 
bedsharing go together, it is logical for our competitors to  do what they can to 
undermine the connection between mothers and babies. 
    We have to stay on our toes!
    warmly,
    
 
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE
Maternal-Child Adjunct  Faculty Union Institute and University
Film Reviews Editor, Journal of Human  Lactation
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com

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