Pam writes:

>
>I am not doubting the outcome of the studies, only the data being  analyzed. 
>For me to agree that epdiduals have no affect on breastfeeding I  would have
>to see that defined as: Exclusive breastfeeding with zero  supplementation
>needed for any reason whatsoever and absolute pain free  breastfeeding.


I agree.

>  Then
>compare that to women who have birthed at home with no 
>interventions of any kind
>whatsoever.


But that isn't a sound comparison.

There are *massive* differences between home birth with no 
interventions, and hospital birth with epidural - the epidural is 
only one part of the difference.

The population you are comparing is different, for a start. All the 
home birthing mothers have chosen to avoid hospital/medical 
intereference, and they are much more likely to be dedicated and 
enthusiastic breastfeeders.

They will be far more likely to embrace skin to skin and co-sleeping 
- both of which may happen in hospital (though even in supportive 
places, with some difficulty and determination) but I suggest are 
more likely *not* to.

I could go on - we all know the differences between unmedicated home 
birth and hospital birth are likely to be huge.

I honestly have no idea how sure we can be that epidurals affect 
breastfeeding because epidurals inevitably come as a package deal 
with other interventions and influences - and in places where 
epidurals are very common, we don't necessarily see problem 
breastfeeding.

Heather Welford Neil

NCT bfc, tutor, UK

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