The current controversy about whether or not to let people know that breastfeeding is best for babies and formula feeding harms babies reminds me of the early days of the cigarette smoking controverseries.  

We had a pretty good idea that smoking wasn't good and then along came a lot of research proving that cigarette smoking wasn't good.  The tobacco companies protested loudly and long, but in the end the message finally got out - Smoking is bad  for your health.  That is an accepted public health message today.

Breastfeeding vs formula is going through the same process and in the end the message will get out - Breastfeeding is the preferred way to feed babies and formula feeding harms long term health.

What people do with evidence-based information is their own choice.  I still see people smoking
 :-( and I think we will always see babies being bottle-fed.  But that doesn't mean that these are good or sensible choices.  

Sincerely, Patricia Young, RN, APN,C.

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