<<(Breastfeeding does also cause mastitis and sore nipples, but we don't
<<consider this a reason to wean--just a reason to address the specific
<<problem while continuing to support breastfeeding.)
<< --
<<Anne Montgomery, M.D.
<<[log in to unmask]
<<St.Peter Hospital Family Practice Residency
<<Olympia, WA
Oh but they are they are - I hear this all the time from local doctors and
even national sources (KathyLee Gifford weaned her first son at three weeks
because she "had to for double mastitis" in 1989) and I just got done
looking at a section in "Essentials of Obstectrics and Gynecology" editors
escape me at the moment as I returned the book, but this is a medical school
text dated 1987 (those are the docs newly in practice who read this in
school, mind you) and the chapter on lactation includes "Problems, Mastitis
and Sore Nipples,"For mastitis they *require* weaning and pumping and
dumping for ten days while on antibiotics as they say mastitis is a staph
infection, so the whole family must be treated, any pumped milk is
"contaminated" and if breastfeeding continues, reinfection will occur, not
may occur, will occur (I wish I'd kept the book to give you exact quotes and
citations)
Sore nipples were also a reason to wean, no mention of latch on, and
the only treatment suggested was Masse cream which if I'm not mistaken is a
very old product and no longer recommended!!! But warned that the cracks in
the nipples are ideal entry points for bacteria from the baby's mouth and
thus infections are likely if breastfeeding continues, they did suggest that
a nipple shield be worn if breastfeeding 'must' continue...
How many of our doctors were taught this, read this, have this text
as a reference in their offices? I'd venture a fair number... and if they
learned it in medical school it must be gospel, right? talk about
sacrificing breastfeeding on the alter of ignorance, I think this qualifies
as institutionalized stupidity.
stepping off her high horse,
Anne E. Robb, MAT, LLL
mailto:[log in to unmask]
Off on a Tangent in Oregon
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