Dear Dani,
My heart dropped when I read your post, and I share your concern that these
nurses might pass on the Ezzo info to the patients.
My first question: are they reading "On Becoming Babywise" (How 100,000
babies learned to sleep through the night), or "Preparation for Parenting"?
This is an important question because it determines the best course of
action. What do I mean? Those who are reading the religious version (PREP)
often will place the alleged biblicalness of the material above medical and
psychological issues. Those who are reading Babywise may be more amenable to
scientific evidence.
What you may wish to share with them:
1) The "Ezzo" method is not scientific; that it is backed by some
pediatricians shows the ignorance of those ped's; meanwhile, not one member
of Lactnet has been willing to stand up and say that this material is
wonderful, so I would also hazard to say that they have NO support in the
lactation community other than an educator or two. If your nurses are willing
to label ALL of us as in error on lactation issues, that's really going out
on a professional limb!
2) There are *many* (not just a handful) cases of babies who have failed
to gain weight adequately and mothers who have been unable to sustain
lactation that qualified breastfeeding counselors have assessed as being
caused by the Ezzo breastfeeding management system;
3) Orange County, California actually had to put together a child abuse task
force to investigate the curriulum and found it wanting (available on the
internet);
4) Contrary to claims in the books, this is NOT the way babies have been
parented throughout the centuries (Katherine Dettwyler's commentary on this
available on her website)
5) These books contradict the latest evidence regarding SIDS and a) prone
sleep position and b) co-sleeping, whether or not the mothers like the idea
of co-sleeping. This is important to note because the curriculum *relies* on
prone position as the "sleep position" and *back* as the play position in
many of their notes.
6) The Ezzos have no special credentials in child development or infant
feeding, their sources are out dated and their references are often found to
be taken out of context. Ask the nurses if they have checked the references
out for themselves; if not, and they pass the concepts on, they may be liable
for providing misinformation. If I am not mistaken, it is their job to base
their practice of nursing on the best and most current scientific information
regardless of their personal beliefs. Are they ready to assume liability for
practices that cannot be supported by current literature? [Note: the Ezzos do
cite isolated articles that appear to support their premises; however, these
articles have apparently been dug up *after the fact* and most often do not
say exactly what the Ezzos wish to prove. Also: a few articles does not a
firm position make]
7) Refer them to Marilyn Grams, MD's, book, "Breastfeeding Success for
Working Mothers" (Achievement Press, P.O Box 608R, Sheridan, WY, 82801).
Marilyn wrote this book *as a mother* who was finishing her residency and
having babies simultaneously. She explains how the co-sleeping and nursing
works (coined as "reverse cycling") and pitches it so well that you are
easily convinced that she found the *perfect* way to survive med school. I
dare the nurses to say that their schedule is worse than Marilyn's was.
8) Explain to them that this is a fad sweeping our nation right now and that
many parents have been lured in because we all want our rest and want the
perfect child. Then add that, though these goals are understandable, that
the methodology ultimately shortchanges the child and that even *Christian*
psychologists, including the famous James Dobson, are not supporting it and
are very concerned as to the possible long-term consequences.
9) Refer them to following stories: "The Brave New Baby", Christianity
today, 8/93; "The Ezzos know Best", WORLD Magazine, 5/96; ABC story by Peggy
Wehmeyer shown on Nightline a couple of months back; (all transcripts
available on internet). All three stories discussed controversies and
problems related to these books.
10) If the nurses are Christians who hold that these are biblical
principles, refer them to Rebecca Prewett's thorough critique, "Preparation
for Behavioral Pediatrics? A Biblical and Practical Critique of Preparation
for Parenting: A Biblical Perspective" (available on internet)
I can go on and on on this topic forever, but this should suffice. :-) I
*do* hope that you are able to tackle this and stop the spread before damage
is done. Note to everyone else: if it hasn't hit your area yet, don't worry;
it will! I've been amazed by the rapid spread, both through churches and
through independent marketers.
Most comprehensive website for above info, links and more:
http://www.fix.net./~rprewett ---> Family Issues Page ---> discernment.
-Lisa Marasco, BA, IBCLC
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