I am Here if you need me.

How are you?  I hope this email finds you well and supported.

I have been adding posts to the Support Group themed discussions and files into the Resources. If you haven't already, you are welcome to join this group.  I open the 'meeting room' on Wednesday mornings.  Stop by to say hi, or ask a question.  Let me know if you'd like to chat in the evening, and I can make myself available (generally after 8pm).

You may have noticed that the Facebook page is gone (or soon will be).  My account is deactivated and queued for deletion.  It is somewhat daunting to not be on Facebook, but very freeing too.  I will focus on building a community within the support group and working with clients.  I am here, if you need me. 

STORY TIME
I Went Walking
Written by Sue Williams
Illustrated by Julie Vivas

Is there a darkside to research articles?
This is a screenshot from Amy Brown's twitter.  She originally shared this on her Facebook profile, exposing the underbelly of research publishing

More on this below.

Navigating the Research:
​Interpreting 'the facts' can be difficult.  We google for information, a legitimate and awesome modern tool, but get lost in misinformation and propaganda.  
How do you work out what information is simple fact, what is manipulated fact and what is out right lie?
Read More

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What About the Cord Blood?
'Cord Blood Banking'...marketing, research and reality
Read More

Understanding 'Fed is Best'
Information and Marketing: Three Facts and a Warning
Read More

One of my favourite mailing lists is from Tracy of Evolutionary Parenting.  Her last mail out included a 'research round up' with this:"And in the Stupid Files...A  new article in Global Pediatric Health looks at risk factors for bedsharing (under the assumption it's inherently dangerous). Finds not having any other place to sleep, breastfeeding, and having a health condition increases "risk" of bedsharing.  Suggests people focus on these risk factors.  Stupid enough, right?  But my favourite is that they find sleeping in a crib decreases the risk of bedsharing.  Yeah, you read that right."
I found this very interesting.  I agree, the article very much belongs in the "stupid files".  But I found it interesting because it highlights a very serious issue.  Not all Research articles are worth reading, and they are not without bias.  Many research articles are 'manufactured' to promote a particular conclusion.  It is not always easy to identify a dodgy article from the 'real science'.  

UK lactation Consultant, Amy Brown (Breastfeeding Uncovered) exposed the underhanded nature in the post pictured above.

Lactation Research is rife with this kind of activity.  I blogged about this many years ago (this is not a revelation) and given the resurfacing of the issue, I updated the post.  Being able to navigate the marketing in the research is a good skill to gain.  I have updated this post which aims to help you navigate the research.  

There is much more to see in The Support Group, and I am adding more each day.  I welcome your input into the space, but it also stands alone as a resource.  You can also invite your friends to access the site.  

I will email a monthly update for the Support Group (on the 3rd of each month).  This newsletter will continue to send out on the 17th of each month.  It includes 'Storytime' and interesting articles or blog posts (sometimes written by me, but not always).  Please, tell me what you think.

Yours in Support and Information,

Catherine
The Birth Cartographer