Video 4. Speaking out: Maureen Minchin discusses how exclusion of researchers due to claims of WHO Code violation without credible rationale biases lactation education towards non-evidence-based, personality-driven interventions
In Video 4 of this four part series, Maureen Minchin is in discussion with Dr Pamela Douglas, exploring how exclusion of researchers due to claims of WHO Code violation without transparency or scientific rationale seriously biases lactation medicine education towards non-evidence-based interventions.
About Maureen Minchin
Pioneering breastfeeding advocate Maureen Minchin BHons MA (Melb) TSTC is an Australian medical historian, author, and founding lactation consultant, now in her 80s.
From 1984-1986 Maureen played pivotal roles in the creation of IBLCE (the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners), ILCA (the International Lactation Consultant Association), and ALCA (the Australian Lactation Consultant Association), ensuring those organisations’ support for the 1981 WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
From 1989 Maureen was involved in discussions that led to the creation of APMAIF, the Australian Panel on the Marketing of Infant Formula in Australia. After working with the WHO Nutrition Unit on Infant Feeding: the Physiological Basis, from 1991-2 Maureen pioneered the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, at home and internationally.
Video 4 content summary
In this video Maureen speaks with Dr Pamela Douglas about what seems to them to be invalid interpretations of the Code being used to justify unexplained and unchallengeable refusal of Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) for talks in some countries or by some international lactation researchers.
This has enabled some lactation-related educators and industries to flourish without IBCLCs or breastfeeding medicine physicians hearing research-based content which contests established perspectives. Maureen and Pam outline their own experience and question whether the evidence suggests that commercial levers are being used to reduce competition, prevent dissemination of research, and discourage innovation.
Blacklisting of speakers currently
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Lacks appropriate professional transparency about decision-making, including on what grounds it applies to any individual - stated in writing
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Lacks an appeal process and uses vague definitions of conflict of interest (“perceived” by whom, how and why?) Seems to have been applied inconsistently and unpredictably by IBLCE in different parts of the world over many years and seems to occur episodically
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Silences dissent from currently accepted practice Affects the quality of education received by IBCLCs and breastfeeding medicine doctors.
Other videos in this series
Video 1. Speaking out: Maureen Minchin helps pioneer the professionalisation of breastfeeding and lactation support internationally. Maureen discusses her role in the development of the ground-breaking initiatives in the 1980s which have professionalised breastfeeding and lactation support world-wide.
Video 2. Speaking out: Maureen Minchin successfully advocates for integration of support for the WHO Code into regulatory framework of professional lactation non-profits. Maureen discusses her role as a key advocate for the integration of WHO Code support into regulatory frameworks - and how she was subsequently subject within professional lactation support networks to false but damaging accusations of WHO Code violation.
Video 3. Speaking out: Maureen Minchin discusses how the Australian Lactation Consultants Association splintered in mid-1990s over false innuendo against her about WHO Code violation. This had a many-years-long impact on the capacity for professional lactation non-profits to advocate with government on behalf of breastfeeding families, including inability to advocate for containment of formula company marketing practices.
Breastfeeding Matters. CH10 History and Politics of Infant Feeding. Maureen Minchin.pdf
Maureen's books
Maureen is the author of
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Revolutions and rosewater: a history of the Victorian Nursing Council 1923-1973. 1978
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Food for thought: a parent’s guide to food intolerance. 1982 (first ed) 1982 (first ed) 1986, 1992 editions; UK and Japanese editions
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Breastfeeding matters: what we need to know about infant feeding. 1985, 1989, 1998 editions
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Milk matters: infant feeding and immune disorder. 2015