In addition to Valerie's comments, I note that it is difficult to use the
principals of communicating relative risk with people if you do not use the
language of risk when discussing infant formula.

A good example as the recent CDC communication on West Nile Virus and breast
milk. The CDC did state that women were concerned about exposure to WNV
should continue to breastfeed because the risk to the baby of using infant
formula was greater than the risk posed from the potential WNV infection.
This message was not widely carried and I believe one reason is that the
media are not use to hearing messages about infant formula framed in the
context of risk.

"How much risk is there with infant formula?" If you can't answer that
question, you can't go on to judge whether there is less or more risk from
WNV.


-- Jodine Chase



> From: "Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
>
> I am not sure I understand the rationale behind the promotion of
> breastfeeding by only or mostly talking about the benefits of breastfeeding.
> The decision to breastfeed is a healthcare decision.  It is a rational
> decision based on risks as well as benefits.  I think risks are  a far more
> important consideration in regard to health than benefits.  We can all live
> without benefits but if something is risky we may think twice about our
> decision-making.

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