GOOD NEWS: The First NFPI Course has begun.
The good news is that the first NFPI class took place November 28 in Denver with the approval of the archdiocese. We thank K.L. and Ann Berry for their enthusiasm in preparing for their first NFPI class. They developed the PowerPoint presentation and the teaching notes for that first class at first-rate speed and kept us posted on their progress. We are grateful for their enthusiasm and for their excellent work in preparing the visuals and notes for teaching the class. How did their #1 meeting go? The class went very well and the attendees applauded at the end.
THE TROUBLING NEWS: CCL has yet to make a corrections sheet for an error in their new manual, The Art of Natural Family Planning: Student Guide, an error that could cause an unintended pregnancy. In two places of the new CCL Student Guide, exclusive breastfeeding is said to be highly effective in avoiding pregnancy, but nowhere does it mention a necessary requirement for such effectiveness: the absence of menstruation. Here is what the new CCL manual says:
1) “Some studies show that 97% of mothers who exclusively breastfeed can be assured of postpartum infertility for at least six months” (page 161).
2) “Exclusive breastfeeding: Generally, highly infertile during the first six months postpartum” (Reference guide, page 254; italics in the original).
Three bloggers (I was one of them) brought this error to the attention of others on Sunday, November 18. One of the blogs came from Miriam Labbok, a doctor involved with many of the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) studies. LAM was the method whose results CCL erroneously attempted to describe. Dr. Labbok’s blog on this issue can be viewed at http://enabling-breastfeeding.blogspot.com/2007/11/lets-get-lam-right.html .
Another area that needs improving in the new CCL manual is the definition of “exclusive breastfeeding” on page 154. Nowhere in that definition does it state “only mother’s milk.” That has to be made clear to nursing mothers. Here is the UNICEF definition: “Babies should be exclusively breastfed—meaning that they receive nothing but breastmilk, not even water—for about the first six months of life” (Breastfeeding: Foundation for a Healthy Future, p. 4).
The new CCL Student Guide also fails to mention those behaviors that help a breastfeeding mother remain in amenorrhea for those first six months while exclusively breastfeeding.
At least these three areas need improvement in the new CCL manual in my estimation: the clarification of breastfeeding infertility by the exclusive breastfeeding rule or by the Lactational Amenorrhea Method on pages 161 and 254 and the definition of “exclusive breastfeeding” on page 154.
Responsible management? CCL speaks frequently about responsible parenthood, and that’s why CCL should insert a corrections sheet into their new manual. Is this responsible on their part? Do they wish unexpected parenthood on a mother with a newborn already in her arms? We received a copy of the Student Guide on November 6th. I noticed the mistake immediately and wrote the CCL Executive Director, Andy Alderson, on November 7th.
Here was my email to Andy that day:
Dear Andy,
Congratulations on the new Student Guide.
On page 161, it states: “Some studies show that 97% of mothers who exclusively breastfeed can be assured of postpartum infertilitry for at least six months.”
Could you email me the studies or cite the references for me? I have asked some breastfeeding research experts about this statement and I cannot come up with any of the research.
Thanking you for your help,
Sheila Kippley
On November 14, I received the following email from Andy Alderson: “Sorry for the delayed response. While I understand your request, I’ve read your ongoing blogs against CCL. I don’t think it is productive for the League to get into communications with you at this time.”
After the November 18th blogs, we waited to allow time for CCL to make the correction, but we were saddened to learn from several sources that CCL has not taken the time to insert a corrections sheet into their new manuals.
John calls Andy at the CCL office to express his concern.
On November 29, John called Andy at the CCL office. John mentioned to Andy that breastfeeding advocates were upset about the error and that a corrections sheet needs to be inserted into each book. Andy said he would take such opinions under advisement but did not say anything to confirm John’s sense of urgency that an error sheet needs to be printed and inserted pronto. Andy said he did not have time to write such a sheet; John offered to write it but Andy declined the offer. Andy said that the corrections sheet is not at the top of his priorities. John’s explanation that this mistake is something that can get mothers unexpectedly pregnant elicited only Andy’s response that he will consider the issue. John emailed the members of Board of Directors for whom he had addresses on November 30 to express his concern.
On November 30, toward the end of the day, CCL sent a 6-page email newsletter to CCL teachers and promoters. NOTHING was said about the serious mistake in the new CCL manual. I find this astounding and am most disappointed that such an important error has not been corrected.
PS: Donations are still needed and welcome for our apostolate. Our goal is to provide more teaching services and support for NFP and Church teaching online. We thank those who did respond. Please mail your gift to: NFPI, P.O. Box 11216; Cincinnati, Ohio 45211. Please keep us in mind this Advent season.
Next week: What is CCL no longer teaching?
Sheila Kippley
NFP International
www.NFPandMore.org
Author: Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood and Natural Family Planning: The Question-Answer Book (e-book at this website)