A response to readers comments and questions (Karleen Gribble, 29 January 2012)
After the publication of our paper ¿Emergency preparedness for those who care for infants in developed country contexts¿ the authors received questions, helpful comments and suggestions for possible modification of emergency kits for babies. We would like to...
read full comment
Comment on: Gribble et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 6:16
Querying conclusions (Kasia Williams, 03 January 2012)
This is an interesting article that provides an introductory overview of feeding practices. I am a little concerned about the areas noted requiring 'immediate intervention'. In particular, "too frequent breastfeeding and overnight feeding of older children". Many children will require feeding overnight until they are developmentally ready to have unbroken sleep. Feeding is also a matter of psychological and emotional development and provides a source of comfort and bond in addition to other health benefits. The concern about feeding too frequently is also puzzling as there is no identifiable 'maximum' number of feeds and a mother and child should feed as often as they need to or wish to. Again, breastfeeding is also for psychological and emotional development. I would be interested to hear...
read full comment
Comment on: Perera et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 6:18
Breastfeeding Definition (Mahsa Jessri, 24 October 2011)
Comment on: Thompson et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 5:5
Breastfeeding Challenges World-wide Evident in Nacogdoches, TX (Carrie Wright, 15 November 2010)
In 2010 I see many of the same challenges outlined in this article mirrored for mothers in rural America. Certainly the challenges that the health care workers in Niger are dealing with are heightened in comparison to our workers, however the end result for the mothers in Niger is the same as that of those here in rural Nacogdoches, TX. Mothers here receive conflicting advice about breastfeeding, rarely receive breastfeeding education from their primary care provider, and are plied with commercial advertisements of formula during their extremely short hospital stay (24-48 hrs on average). Although we boast a 75% initiation rate in my home state, less than 1/2 of those mothers leave the hospital exclusively breastfeeding. This is a sad reality for mothers and easily solved by a change in...
read full comment
Editor's response to comment (Lisa Amir, 18 April 2010)
I agree that we must be clear about definitions of breastfeeding. I spend a lot of time asking authors to clarify their definitions. In this paper, the authors had initially used the term "breastfeeding" to include breastfeeding at the breast and feeding expressed breast milk. At my request, the authors changed the wording throughout the paper to "breast milk feeding". Unfortunately, the authors and I did not notice the sentence in the Conclusion still referred to "breastfeeding". After publication of the comment by Valerie McLain, the authors asked the publisher to change the wording of that sentence. This sentence has now been corrected. Lisa Amir MBBS MMed PhD IBCLC FABM Editor-in-Chief International Breastfeeding Journal
read full comment
competing interests (Valerie McClain, 22 March 2010)
M. Thomas Clandinin is the President and CEO of BioLipids Inc. in Canada. He is a listed inventor to a US Patent #6998392 called "Formulation to treat or prevent parasitic infection." The formulation is a method of using human milk gangliosides (complex lipids) for placement in infant formula, baby food, etc. MTI Meta Tech Inc. owns the patent and M. Thomas Clandinin is involved with this company, too. I would think that this would be considered a competing interest.
read full comment
Comment on: Nasser et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 5:3
Breastfeeding is not breast milk feeding (Valerie McClain, 18 March 2010)
It is great that we have the data that shows that the use of donor milk banking lowers the use of infant formula. This is an important conclusion. But this study has two fatal flaws that need to be addressed by the authors for future studies. First, the abstract states that "the aim of the study is to assess the impact that a human milk bank has had on the proportion of infants receiving exclusive breast milk at discharge." (1) The conclusion states that, "We demonstrate how milk banks do not cause reduction in the rates of breastfeeding or in promoting its protection and support."(2) The authors defined exclusive breastfeeding and exclusive breast milk as the same. Are they the same? What is the impact on observations and conclusions in a study, when we define them as the same? Did...
read full comment
Re: confounding of pre-birth and post-birth: Authors' reply (Imran Morhason-Bello, 03 January 2010)
As mentioned in the method section of this paper, primigravid mothers’ data were separately analysed to see the interval of breastfeeding initiation time [1]. Details of the obstetric outcomes such as labour duration, satisfaction and others have been published elsewhere [2]. Presence of companion is associated with better labour outcomes. All the companions were present from onset of established labour till 2 hours after delivery as per our protocol. It is possible from your comment that duration of companion’s stay could influence the outcome of breastfeeding initiation but, we do not have subset of companions that were either solely present pre-birth or post-birth as suggested.
We also feel that the better obstetric outcomes as well as childbirth...
read full comment
New breast milk in old bottles (Martha Wardrop, 15 December 2009)
I was fascinated to look at the different doors concept presented by the author, and believe that if we all consider these different influencers on a womans decision to breast feed or not, or wean early or not, we can collectively come up with some better ideas on changing the negative ideas that some people have about providing the very best for infants around the world. I appreciated the article very much.
read full comment
Comment on: Rothman International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:9
confounding of pre-birth and post-birth (G Becker, 12 December 2009)
Thank you for an interesting article. I wonder if the companion during labour and birth resulted in a shorter labour, baby in a better state, and the mother generally feeling more competent and this facilitated early initiation of breastfeeding? Or if the companion post-birth encouraged mother etc. Did you have any women in your study who only had a companion post-birth (not during labour)? Or during labour but not post-birth? And the effect on breastfeeding initiation when companion was only there for one aspect.
read full comment
Award winning article (Linda Kvist, 26 September 2009)
This article has been awarded the first Global Philips AVENT Breastfeeding prize in the category clinical research.The prize will be presented at the 9th World Congress on Perinatal Medicine in Berlin, Germany in October 2009.
read full comment
Comment on: Kvist et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:6
Associations of drugs given in labour with breastfeeding (sue jordan, 13 September 2009)
Our recent work adds new data to the debate surrounding breastfeeding and medication administered in labour. We have no evidence of any causal inferences, but we found an association between drugs administered for prevention of post partum haemorrhage and formula feeding at 48 hours, which must be confirmed by further research [1] before recommending any change in practice.
We examined the Cardiff (Wales UK) Births Survey 1989-1999 to investigate potentially modifiable associations between drugs routinely administered in labour and breastfeeding in healthy women and infants. We reviewed data on 48,366 healthy women delivering healthy singleton babies at term and breastfeeding at 48 hours postpartum. At 48 hours, 43.3% (20,933/48,366) women were not breastfeeding....
read full comment
Comment on: Jordan International Breastfeeding Journal, 1:25
Building a better breastpump (Valerie McClain, 10 June 2009)
Research using ultrasound to visualize human milk production and ejection is like having a window into a long-held mystery. This technology gives us many opportunities and possibilities to help mothers and babies. Yet technology has consequences and not always positive consequences.
When I read research papers, I ask myself what is the purpose of this research. It is quite obvious that with ultrasound in the field of lactation, we are seeing the inner workings of the breast in the process of making and ejecting milk. This is discovery and exciting to see. Groundbreaking and breath-taking at the same time. But is this the only purpose of this particular research?
Research is driven not only by curiosity but by economic motives. Under competing interests in...
read full comment
Comment on: Geddes International Breastfeeding Journal, 4:5
A question (Valerie McClain, 29 April 2009)
In this study, it states that the authors have no competing interests. I would think having patents or patent applications would be something that should be declared. Patents and/or applications would show the intent to market or sell an "invention." One of the authors to this study. Peter E. Hartmann is one of several listed inventors to various patent applications at the US Patent & Trademark Office. All three of these applications are owned by Medela. There are 3 patent applications: #20080187619, "Human Milk Fortifiers & Methods for Production;" #20080118615, "Method for Analysing & Treating Human Milk and System Therefore;" #20080075819, Treatment of mother's milk." Why are patent applications or patents not considered a competing interest?
read full comment
Comment on: Czank et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 4:3
Invisible research (Valerie McClain, 14 August 2008)
Invisible is a great description of the reality of breastfeeding in the USA. It is also a perfect description of breastfeeding and human milk research.We have a mountain of research on human milk and its components but far less research on the process of giving that milk-breastfeeding. That mountain is shrouded in the mists of intellectual property rights.Chris Mulford gives an accurate description of where breastfeeding stands in the USA, invisible. But I have to say that I believe that the lacking of basic and applied research is not the reason for invisibility. Patenting of human milk components and human milk itself has created the need for invisibility, secrecy. We have way over 2000 human milk patents and patent applications dating from as early as 1980.For instance the Ramsay...
read full comment
Comment on: Mulford International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:13
Creating synergy in science (Valerie McClain, 10 August 2008)
When a scientist looks in an microscope, what does she see? Is her perception colored by her academic training? Does the vase or two persons looking at each other apply to the medical and biological sciences? One would suspect that visual perception, even in these sciences, is never the same. And yet medical policies and programs do not project those differences of perspectives, at least not publicly. We see one view and hear one voice.HIV/AIDS policy on breastfeeding is a good example of one view and one voice. The belief that breastmilk transmits HIV is based on whose perception? No research that I have seen has shown "infectious" HIV in breastmilk. Early research on breastmilk transmission is questionable because breastfeeding was never defined. Antibody testing of all pregnant...
read full comment
Comment on: Labbok International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:16
Inspiring (Heather Harvey, 11 April 2008)
I found this article very inspiring. It is good to know that preemies can thrive and grow without fortifiers and formulas and bottles.
read full comment
Comment on: Harris International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:3
Breast milk iron indicators among anemic and non anemic mothers: interpret with caution (Arun Aggarwal, 02 March 2008)
Authors deserve applause for conducting relevant and timely research. Decline in breast milk iron indicators overtime, but no relationship with baby's iron indicators was well understood. However, interpretation with respect to anaemic and non anaemic mothers need to be done with caution. These two groups have been used in the entire presentation. As this was hospital based study, and it was reported that all mothers had normal antenatal history, it is not clear whether haemoglobin was done in the antenatal period or not? Even if it was not done before, then at the time of detection postnataly, whether anaemic mothers were advised therapeutic doses of iron or similar advise was given to both the groups? If anaemic mothers were told about their anaemia, and were advised accordingly to have...
read full comment
Comment on: Raj et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:3
Children can be saved without ending poverty (George Kent, 14 January 2008)
Annette Beasley and Lisa Amir’s essay on “Infant feeding, poverty and human development” (IBJ 2007, 2:14) concludes, “Until such time that established poverty indicators are addressed and eliminated, the opportunity of optimal growth and development among at risk infants will continue to be denied.” This is a message of despair and hopelessness, but fortunately it does not follow from their analysis.Many infants are denied the opportunity of optimal growth even where there is little poverty. The authors did not present any evidence that reducing poverty itself leads to improved breastfeeding practices. Indeed, increasing income is often associated with worsening breastfeeding practices. We should watch the current ongoing demonstration in China, for example.If...
read full comment
Comment on: Beasley et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:14
Does "poverty' threaten breastfeeding? (Valerie McClain, 29 November 2007)
Is "poverty" threatening breastfeeding? It is stated in this article that, "Among developed countries there is a conventional wisdom that poverty 'protects' breastfeeding in developing countries." I have not heard this before except in the referenced article from the JHL by Dr. Martha Morrow. What I have often heard and seen written is a statement made by the late James P. Grant, past Executive Director of UNICEF, "Breastfeeding is a natural safety net against the worst effects of poverty."While the statements are similiar in some respects, having some of the same words, they are different.Is it poverty that threatens breastfeeding? Or is it capitalism, lack of ownership of property, and rampant consumerism that threatens breastfeeding. If we blame poverty for threatening breastfeeding...
read full comment
Comment on: Beasley et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:14
Outstanding article will be cited often (Kermaline Cotterman, 12 October 2007)
The author is to be complimented on her article, both for the well-referenced physiological insights which explain how and why the method works, and the case studies which illustrate how the method needs to be explained and followed up carefully in order to tailor it to the individual mother/baby dyad involved.This article has great potential to add to the practice insights for clinical lactation specialists and the very vital lay breastfeeding support communities, but especially for the general pediatrician, family practitioner, emergency room physician, public health and pediatric nurses, and the educational formation of future practitioners in these and other disciplines.This will result in a more comfortable and satisfactory experience for many mothers and babies, whose example and...
read full comment
Ibuprofen could be an adjunct treatment (Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, 07 August 2007)
I wouldn't consider anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, frontline treatments for depression. Nor would recommend trying to treat depression with ibuprofen alone. However, it could be a helpful adjunct. Ibuprofen, like aspirin, lowers risk of cardiovascular disease--most likely because it is anti-inflammatory. Because these same processes are present in depression, anti-inflammatory NSAIDs could potentially help. They also lower pain, which can indirectly lower depression risk.
read full comment
Comment on: Kendall-Tackett International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:6
Recombinant Human Prolactin (Corrine Welt, 29 July 2007)
We thank Ms. McClain for her comments and would like to address her concerns. The current study is the first to examine the biological effect of r-hPRL on the breast. We chose not to study lactating women in the pilot studies because establishing the biological activity of r-hPRL would be difficult in already lactating women. As discussed, it would also be difficult to examine changes in bone markers specific to r-hPRL in lactating women because of the enormous changes in bone turnover and the hypoestrogenic state that accompany lactation. R-hPRL stimulation of galactorrhea and the side effect profile suggest that “r-hPRL may be a viable option for short-term lactation augmentation.“ We agree that further studies are necessary in lactating women and as stated in the...
read full comment
Comment on: Page-Wilson et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:10
Recombinant prolactin: A galactagogue or a nutraceutical? (Valerie McClain, 27 July 2007)
Does this paper show that recombinant human prolactin is a viable option as a short-term galactagogue? The author's conclude that it is a viable option with few side effects. Yet it seems to me rather premature to assume the safety of recombinant prolactin based on a study where only 9 women received the recombinant. None of the women were lactating and the study only addressed side effects during the 7 days of administering the drug. Oddly, the placebo group seemed to suffer from more side effects than those receiving the recombinant. How can safety be presumed, when the study used only non-lactating women? More importantly, there is no safety data on infants and possible side effects. How can we consider a short-term course of recombinant prolactin a viable option without knowing...
read full comment
Comment on: Page-Wilson et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:10
Would this be possible? (Nikki Lee, 07 July 2007)
Would it be possible then, to treat some forms of depression with an anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen?
read full comment
Comment on: Kendall-Tackett International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:6
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Latest comments
A response to readers comments and questions (Karleen Gribble, 29 January 2012)
After the publication of our paper ¿Emergency preparedness for those who care for infants in developed country contexts¿ the authors received questions, helpful comments and suggestions for possible modification of emergency kits for babies. We would like to... read full comment
Comment on: Gribble et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 6:16
Querying conclusions (Kasia Williams, 03 January 2012)
This is an interesting article that provides an introductory overview of feeding practices. I am a little concerned about the areas noted requiring 'immediate intervention'. In particular, "too frequent breastfeeding and overnight feeding of older children". Many children will require feeding overnight until they are developmentally ready to have unbroken sleep. Feeding is also a matter of psychological and emotional development and provides a source of comfort and bond in addition to other health benefits. The concern about feeding too frequently is also puzzling as there is no identifiable 'maximum' number of feeds and a mother and child should feed as often as they need to or wish to. Again, breastfeeding is also for psychological and emotional development. I would be interested to hear... read full comment
Comment on: Perera et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 6:18
Breastfeeding Definition (Mahsa Jessri, 24 October 2011)
Dear... read full comment
Comment on: Thompson et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 5:5
Breastfeeding Challenges World-wide Evident in Nacogdoches, TX (Carrie Wright, 15 November 2010)
In 2010 I see many of the same challenges outlined in this article mirrored for mothers in rural America. Certainly the challenges that the health care workers in Niger are dealing with are heightened in comparison to our workers, however the end result for the mothers in Niger is the same as that of those here in rural Nacogdoches, TX. Mothers here receive conflicting advice about breastfeeding, rarely receive breastfeeding education from their primary care provider, and are plied with commercial advertisements of formula during their extremely short hospital stay (24-48 hrs on average). Although we boast a 75% initiation rate in my home state, less than 1/2 of those mothers leave the hospital exclusively breastfeeding. This is a sad reality for mothers and easily solved by a change in... read full comment
Comment on: Moussa Abba et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 5:8
Editor's response to comment (Lisa Amir, 18 April 2010)
I agree that we must be clear about definitions of breastfeeding. I spend a lot of time asking authors to clarify their definitions. In this paper, the authors had initially used the term "breastfeeding" to include breastfeeding at the breast and feeding expressed breast milk. At my request, the authors changed the wording throughout the paper to "breast milk feeding". Unfortunately, the authors and I did not notice the sentence in the Conclusion still referred to "breastfeeding". After publication of the comment by Valerie McLain, the authors asked the publisher to change the wording of that sentence. This sentence has now been corrected.
Lisa Amir
MBBS MMed PhD IBCLC FABM
Editor-in-Chief
International Breastfeeding Journal read full comment
Comment on: Utrera Torres et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 5:4
competing interests (Valerie McClain, 22 March 2010)
M. Thomas Clandinin is the President and CEO of BioLipids Inc. in Canada. He is a listed inventor to a US Patent #6998392 called "Formulation to treat or prevent parasitic infection." The formulation is a method of using human milk gangliosides (complex lipids) for placement in infant formula, baby food, etc. MTI Meta Tech Inc. owns the patent and M. Thomas Clandinin is involved with this company, too. I would think that this would be considered a competing interest. read full comment
Comment on: Nasser et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 5:3
Breastfeeding is not breast milk feeding (Valerie McClain, 18 March 2010)
It is great that we have the data that shows that the use of donor milk banking lowers the use of infant formula. This is an important conclusion. But this study has two fatal flaws that need to be addressed by the authors for future studies. First, the abstract states that "the aim of the study is to assess the impact that a human milk bank has had on the proportion of infants receiving exclusive breast milk at discharge." (1) The conclusion states that, "We demonstrate how milk banks do not cause reduction in the rates of breastfeeding or in promoting its protection and support."(2) The authors defined exclusive breastfeeding and exclusive breast milk as the same. Are they the same? What is the impact on observations and conclusions in a study, when we define them as the same? Did... read full comment
Comment on: Utrera Torres et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 5:4
Re: confounding of pre-birth and post-birth: Authors' reply (Imran Morhason-Bello, 03 January 2010)
As mentioned in the method section of this paper, primigravid mothers’ data were separately analysed to see the interval of breastfeeding initiation time [1]. Details of the obstetric outcomes such as labour duration, satisfaction and others have been published elsewhere [2]. Presence of companion is associated with better labour outcomes. All the companions were present from onset of established labour till 2 hours after delivery as per our protocol. It is possible from your comment that duration of companion’s stay could influence the outcome of breastfeeding initiation but, we do not have subset of companions that were either solely present pre-birth or post-birth as suggested.
We also feel that the better obstetric outcomes as well as childbirth... read full comment
Comment on: Morhason-Bello et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 4:16
New breast milk in old bottles (Martha Wardrop, 15 December 2009)
I was fascinated to look at the different doors concept presented by the author, and believe that if we all consider these different influencers on a womans decision to breast feed or not, or wean early or not, we can collectively come up with some better ideas on changing the negative ideas that some people have about providing the very best for infants around the world. I appreciated the article very much. read full comment
Comment on: Rothman International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:9
confounding of pre-birth and post-birth (G Becker, 12 December 2009)
Thank you for an interesting article. I wonder if the companion during labour and birth resulted in a shorter labour, baby in a better state, and the mother generally feeling more competent and this facilitated early initiation of breastfeeding? Or if the companion post-birth encouraged mother etc. Did you have any women in your study who only had a companion post-birth (not during labour)? Or during labour but not post-birth? And the effect on breastfeeding initiation when companion was only there for one aspect. read full comment
Comment on: Morhason-Bello et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 4:16
Award winning article (Linda Kvist, 26 September 2009)
This article has been awarded the first Global Philips AVENT Breastfeeding prize in the category clinical research.The prize will be presented at the 9th World Congress on Perinatal Medicine in Berlin, Germany in October 2009. read full comment
Comment on: Kvist et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:6
Associations of drugs given in labour with breastfeeding (sue jordan, 13 September 2009)
Our recent work adds new data to the debate surrounding breastfeeding and medication administered in labour. We have no evidence of any causal inferences, but we found an association between drugs administered for prevention of post partum haemorrhage and formula feeding at 48 hours, which must be confirmed by further research [1] before recommending any change in practice.
We examined the Cardiff (Wales UK) Births Survey 1989-1999 to investigate potentially modifiable associations between drugs routinely administered in labour and breastfeeding in healthy women and infants. We reviewed data on 48,366 healthy women delivering healthy singleton babies at term and breastfeeding at 48 hours postpartum. At 48 hours, 43.3% (20,933/48,366) women were not breastfeeding.... read full comment
Comment on: Jordan International Breastfeeding Journal, 1:25
Building a better breastpump (Valerie McClain, 10 June 2009)
Research using ultrasound to visualize human milk production and ejection is like having a window into a long-held mystery. This technology gives us many opportunities and possibilities to help mothers and babies. Yet technology has consequences and not always positive consequences.
When I read research papers, I ask myself what is the purpose of this research. It is quite obvious that with ultrasound in the field of lactation, we are seeing the inner workings of the breast in the process of making and ejecting milk. This is discovery and exciting to see. Groundbreaking and breath-taking at the same time. But is this the only purpose of this particular research?
Research is driven not only by curiosity but by economic motives. Under competing interests in... read full comment
Comment on: Geddes International Breastfeeding Journal, 4:5
A question (Valerie McClain, 29 April 2009)
In this study, it states that the authors have no competing interests. I would think having patents or patent applications would be something that should be declared. Patents and/or applications would show the intent to market or sell an "invention." One of the authors to this study. Peter E. Hartmann is one of several listed inventors to various patent applications at the US Patent & Trademark Office. All three of these applications are owned by Medela. There are 3 patent applications: #20080187619, "Human Milk Fortifiers & Methods for Production;" #20080118615, "Method for Analysing & Treating Human Milk and System Therefore;" #20080075819, Treatment of mother's milk."
Why are patent applications or patents not considered a competing interest? read full comment
Comment on: Czank et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 4:3
Invisible research (Valerie McClain, 14 August 2008)
Invisible is a great description of the reality of breastfeeding in the USA. It is also a perfect description of breastfeeding and human milk research.We have a mountain of research on human milk and its components but far less research on the process of giving that milk-breastfeeding. That mountain is shrouded in the mists of intellectual property rights.Chris Mulford gives an accurate description of where breastfeeding stands in the USA, invisible. But I have to say that I believe that the lacking of basic and applied research is not the reason for invisibility. Patenting of human milk components and human milk itself has created the need for invisibility, secrecy. We have way over 2000 human milk patents and patent applications dating from as early as 1980.For instance the Ramsay... read full comment
Comment on: Mulford International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:13
Creating synergy in science (Valerie McClain, 10 August 2008)
When a scientist looks in an microscope, what does she see? Is her perception colored by her academic training? Does the vase or two persons looking at each other apply to the medical and biological sciences? One would suspect that visual perception, even in these sciences, is never the same. And yet medical policies and programs do not project those differences of perspectives, at least not publicly. We see one view and hear one voice.HIV/AIDS policy on breastfeeding is a good example of one view and one voice. The belief that breastmilk transmits HIV is based on whose perception? No research that I have seen has shown "infectious" HIV in breastmilk. Early research on breastmilk transmission is questionable because breastfeeding was never defined. Antibody testing of all pregnant... read full comment
Comment on: Labbok International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:16
Inspiring (Heather Harvey, 11 April 2008)
I found this article very inspiring. It is good to know that preemies can thrive and grow without fortifiers and formulas and bottles. read full comment
Comment on: Harris International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:3
Breast milk iron indicators among anemic and non anemic mothers: interpret with caution (Arun Aggarwal, 02 March 2008)
Authors deserve applause for conducting relevant and timely research. Decline in breast milk iron indicators overtime, but no relationship with baby's iron indicators was well understood. However, interpretation with respect to anaemic and non anaemic mothers need to be done with caution. These two groups have been used in the entire presentation. As this was hospital based study, and it was reported that all mothers had normal antenatal history, it is not clear whether haemoglobin was done in the antenatal period or not? Even if it was not done before, then at the time of detection postnataly, whether anaemic mothers were advised therapeutic doses of iron or similar advise was given to both the groups? If anaemic mothers were told about their anaemia, and were advised accordingly to have... read full comment
Comment on: Raj et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 3:3
Children can be saved without ending poverty (George Kent, 14 January 2008)
Annette Beasley and Lisa Amir’s essay on “Infant feeding, poverty and human development” (IBJ 2007, 2:14) concludes, “Until such time that established poverty indicators are addressed and eliminated, the opportunity of optimal growth and development among at risk infants will continue to be denied.” This is a message of despair and hopelessness, but fortunately it does not follow from their analysis.Many infants are denied the opportunity of optimal growth even where there is little poverty. The authors did not present any evidence that reducing poverty itself leads to improved breastfeeding practices. Indeed, increasing income is often associated with worsening breastfeeding practices. We should watch the current ongoing demonstration in China, for example.If... read full comment
Comment on: Beasley et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:14
Does "poverty' threaten breastfeeding? (Valerie McClain, 29 November 2007)
Is "poverty" threatening breastfeeding? It is stated in this article that, "Among developed countries there is a conventional wisdom that poverty 'protects' breastfeeding in developing countries." I have not heard this before except in the referenced article from the JHL by Dr. Martha Morrow. What I have often heard and seen written is a statement made by the late James P. Grant, past Executive Director of UNICEF, "Breastfeeding is a natural safety net against the worst effects of poverty."While the statements are similiar in some respects, having some of the same words, they are different.Is it poverty that threatens breastfeeding? Or is it capitalism, lack of ownership of property, and rampant consumerism that threatens breastfeeding. If we blame poverty for threatening breastfeeding... read full comment
Comment on: Beasley et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:14
Outstanding article will be cited often (Kermaline Cotterman, 12 October 2007)
The author is to be complimented on her article, both for the well-referenced physiological insights which explain how and why the method works, and the case studies which illustrate how the method needs to be explained and followed up carefully in order to tailor it to the individual mother/baby dyad involved.This article has great potential to add to the practice insights for clinical lactation specialists and the very vital lay breastfeeding support communities, but especially for the general pediatrician, family practitioner, emergency room physician, public health and pediatric nurses, and the educational formation of future practitioners in these and other disciplines.This will result in a more comfortable and satisfactory experience for many mothers and babies, whose example and... read full comment
Comment on: van Veldhuizen-Staas International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:11
Ibuprofen could be an adjunct treatment (Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, 07 August 2007)
I wouldn't consider anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, frontline treatments for depression. Nor would recommend trying to treat depression with ibuprofen alone. However, it could be a helpful adjunct. Ibuprofen, like aspirin, lowers risk of cardiovascular disease--most likely because it is anti-inflammatory. Because these same processes are present in depression, anti-inflammatory NSAIDs could potentially help. They also lower pain, which can indirectly lower depression risk. read full comment
Comment on: Kendall-Tackett International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:6
Recombinant Human Prolactin (Corrine Welt, 29 July 2007)
We thank Ms. McClain for her comments and would like to address her concerns. The current study is the first to examine the biological effect of r-hPRL on the breast. We chose not to study lactating women in the pilot studies because establishing the biological activity of r-hPRL would be difficult in already lactating women. As discussed, it would also be difficult to examine changes in bone markers specific to r-hPRL in lactating women because of the enormous changes in bone turnover and the hypoestrogenic state that accompany lactation. R-hPRL stimulation of galactorrhea and the side effect profile suggest that “r-hPRL may be a viable option for short-term lactation augmentation.“ We agree that further studies are necessary in lactating women and as stated in the... read full comment
Comment on: Page-Wilson et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:10
Recombinant prolactin: A galactagogue or a nutraceutical? (Valerie McClain, 27 July 2007)
Does this paper show that recombinant human prolactin is a viable option as a short-term galactagogue? The author's conclude that it is a viable option with few side effects. Yet it seems to me rather premature to assume the safety of recombinant prolactin based on a study where only 9 women received the recombinant. None of the women were lactating and the study only addressed side effects during the 7 days of administering the drug. Oddly, the placebo group seemed to suffer from more side effects than those receiving the recombinant. How can safety be presumed, when the study used only non-lactating women? More importantly, there is no safety data on infants and possible side effects. How can we consider a short-term course of recombinant prolactin a viable option without knowing... read full comment
Comment on: Page-Wilson et al. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:10
Would this be possible? (Nikki Lee, 07 July 2007)
Would it be possible then, to treat some forms of depression with an anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen? read full comment
Comment on: Kendall-Tackett International Breastfeeding Journal, 2:6