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Subject:
From:
Rhoda Taylor <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 4 Dec 2001 18:50:16 -0800
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>>  Susan wrote:....US research (somewhere beginning with P sorry) on
>> poorer mental health in later life resulting from permanent brain damage
>> in infancy due to the excessive release of a stress hormone. Any body
>> got any thoughts/research out there on this alternative approach to
>> getting nightfeeds back as the normal expectation of motherhood?....

The hormone is cortisol. A medline search should give lots of references,
especially of the work by Dr. Bruce Perry and his team. Like many
jurisdictions our Health Region runs new parent groups (of which I am
coordinator of 5 locations) to ensure the information gets to caregivers of
infants (defined as: parents, grandparents, aunties, and foster parents)
about brain development and normal infant behaviour such as breastfeeding
and cosleeping and delaying the start of solids to 6 months and beyond. We
often hear comments about "why is there such a lot of misinformation out
there!"  I bring 'experts' to deal with the subjects, and of course the
power of peer groups cannot be underestimated. We funded the local public
library to carry a rich selection of books whose information was correct
and to eliminate 'outdated' information. We will be funding a video
collection as well.  Culture can be changed. Currently our initiation rate
is in the high '80s and '90s and over 60% of infants receive some
breastfeeding beyond than 6 months.  We are now working to see that
percentage at a year. Our population has a high proportion of high risk and
aboriginal parents. We have the highest teen pregnancy rate in the province
apparently (sigh).  There is a public health nurse who has as a part of her
responsibility the goal that high risk mothers should be breastfeeding
unless medically indicated for all of the reasons that were covered in the
mixing of formula discussion as well as issues of bonding, illness and
expense. Of course she doesn't reach 100% but having someone who monitors
the situation has made a difference. I think it has also helped to have the
attitude that the effects of breastfeeding are dose dependent so every dose
counts. Every extra day a child is breastfed is seen as having value.  So
we have a lot of victories.  Breastfeeding promotion is just a part of the
piece to maximize every child's advantages and opportunities. I follow the
brain research and find it thrilling that so much of it matches what is
necessary to ensure breastfeeding is supported. It is a very powerful tool
when dealing with those who react badly to breastfeeding promotion. Funny
how the Guilt word doesn't bother them so much when it is brain develoment,
sigh.
Rhoda, BA, IBCLC from the West Coast of Canada and yes I was hired as a
Lactation Consultant not a nurse, my BA is in Geography, Resource Management.

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