I think there are so many "opinions" and "solutions" because we are looking at breastfeeding from different viewpoints, like the 6 blind men trying to see the elephant - or each person has a different color of glasses.  The SIDS issues are an interesting case.  Here we have a group pushing "sleep training" and SIDS prevention recommendations for back sleep because it prevents deep sleep.  Do they talk to each other?  I think the evidence-based recommendations are best - but the method of collecting the evidence has to be examined.  I just finished a class in Health Care Research looking at the various types of studies and faults with each.  Admittedly, human research is the most difficult to get clear, solid results.  I think also, the idea that because it's always been that way, is not a good reason to support a practice.  Brushing teeth is a fairly new idea in human history.  Do we go back to not brushing teeth because our great-great-great-granddaddy didn't do it?  IN looking at alternatives for pharmaceuticals for my personal health, I find it VERY difficult to get good quality information about anything being touted.  It's mostly anecdotal (and a lot of the testimonials are from folks selling the product - talk about conflict of interest!) 

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susan Burger
Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 6:53 AM
Subject: Re: Responses to trends in posts

Dear all:

Rarely do I ever respond to a specific person on Lactnet. You may find a few examples in the archives, but I do respond to trends.  When I comment on particular concerns they are because I have questions and the dialogue helps me think deeper about the issues.  
As usual, Jennifer Tow's post gave me a lot to think about and one day I hope she will give not just one, but many talks here in Manhattan.

I specifically asked for articles to disprove my theory that lactose overload is overblown.  
Hence my response to my particular concern, which is NOT a critique of any individual, it is a critique of what I believe is an overblown and overused theory.  

Ditto my caution on the literature of DHA.  This was not a specific critique of appropriately balancing fatty acids, which is different than the rampant overuse of DHA from pregnancy through the duration of breastfeeding, including unwarrented use of formula to ensure the baby gets enough.  

In neither of my comments did I point back to a specific post or a specific person because it was not a critique of a specific post or a specific person.

I was trained in academia.  We never took critiques of theories as anything personal.  It was a learning process. Lactnet would be useless to me if we were not free to discuss theories, practices, and ideas freely.  

I STILL do not believe that SYNDROME is appropriate.  SPECIFIC terms to describe SPECIFIC situations makes for far better research.  The whole category of research on SIDS is particularly tainted in this regard.  We do NOT have good data because of the use of a term that merely describes an unexplained infant death.  Because of this, we have ridiculous public health campaigns such as the one in New York City that state "Babies should always sleep alone" when there is research to suggest that the least safe place for a baby to sleep is in a separate room!  

In fact, Marie's post and my post have some commonalities.  Were I looking for the omnipotent view that everything was about me, I could have read many criticisms in Jennifer Tow's post which critiqued some ideas included in my own post.  However, I actually enjoyed her post because it gave me ideas to think about and challenged my own assumptions.

When dialogue is censored, learning stops.

So, I will not apologize for my post, but I will say it was NOT directed at Marie and I will make this clear again MY posts are not directed at individuals, they are directed at examining ideas.

Best, Susan Burger

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