In a message dated 07/31/2002 1:07:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> That said, I am going to repeat what I was told by Peter's
> research team members and by Medela ....  The funding of the research was
> to
> understand how the breast functions in terms of production and milk
> ejection.
> That knowledge would be used to create technology that could duplicate it
> as
> close as possible.  We also get a chance to add to our knowledge of how the
> breast functions and add a piece to the science puzzle of human lactation.
> We may never need to use a Medela product, but we will still have the
> information.
>

Bingo!!!  We will ALL benefit from the knowledge gained by this
research--even if our mothers are fortunate enough to never have to rely upon
a breast pump of ANY kind to establish and maintain a milk supply.  I'm just
happy for my mothers that someone is willing and able to do the research
needed to make the most efficient and comfortable breastpump possible.  I'm
also very happy that someone will pay for the research to be done.  Now,
having said all of that, I have been very fortunate in that I was in the room
when Peter Hartmann and Paula Meier (and others) were formulating the plans
and protocols for the research to be done with mothers of preterm infants.
Their priority was to do the best research possible.  The protocols were
designed to make it as easy and clear as possible for mothers to participate,
and to gather as much useful information as possible.  These are amazing
people who want to help us do the best job we can with our mothers and
babies.   In my book, there's nothing wrong with that.  As a group, we toss
around the phrase, "evidence-based practice".  I am glad that we can have
Hartmann's and Meier's work to provide that.
      All done for now.
                                                                     Maureen
Allen RN, BSN, IBCLC
                                                                     NICU
Lactation Consultant
                                                                     Brigham
and Women's Hospital
                                                                     Boston,
MA
PS  I'd like to see the other various pump companies do research about
breastfeeding, milk supply, etc.

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