Interesting stuff, Nikki.

You ask "In the face of such evidence, we might have to let the IQ bit go. What
matters most is parenting and having a healthy baby (now that's where
breastfeeding is so powerful).

What do you all think?"


I don't discuss IQ issues much with parents, anyway. Where I think 
studies like this are *harmful* is that they become ammunition in the 
hands of people/institutions/ who have their own personal/commercial 
beef about breastfeeding and breastfeeding support.

I can't judge the defensive and unhappy women who had bad experiences 
brestfeeding, and who then *welcome* studies like this as 'proof' 
that breastfeeding support and education is all a dreadful sort of 
conspiracy to make them feel terrible. I'm sad for them.

I do judge institutions and 
people-who-should-know-better-and-who-just-like-being -iconoclastic, 
and HCPs who don't know how to read research....who also *welcome* 
stuff like this.

It's this sort of thing that fuels the motherhood 'wars' (almost 
entirely an online creation, BTW, but which feel real enough), and 
ultimately, work against bf support.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc and tutor, UK
-- 

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome