I am surprised that in the long discussion about WIC and free formula
worldwide no one has mentioned the reality that if we REALLY believe that
human milk is best we should be providing IT for infants unable to receive
their own mother's milk.  I do not believe there is a shortage of breastmilk
in the world simply a poor system of distribution. Ideally ALL children
should receive breastmilk directly from their mother's breast. Next best
they should receive their own mother's milk by another method. Third option,
quite a way down, they should receive breastmilk from another mother or
pooled treated milk. LONG way down is ABM. Not making it on the scale is the
variety of teas, sodas and 'junk' occasionally used to fill bottles.  Many
years ago I read a discussion of the East German human milk distribution
system. It was in either one of the first editions of JHL or the Canadian
Lactation Consultant Association Newsletter. Very thought provoking. The
reality is that some women will not breastfeed or will not be able to
breastfeed, either as a result of their decisions or our lack of ability to
provide support and information in an appropriate manner and at an
appropriate time. So why don't we provide human milk for those lovely new
people? Don't we believe that human milk is best for human babies. Or do we
only believe that their mother's milk is best for a baby and artificial milk
comes above human milk?

Kathy, while I share your frustration about parents/mothers not experiencing
the consequences of serial pregnancies I prefer to think of each child as an
opportunity to 'start again' as a society to break the chain of dependence.
In my work I have met several women for whom having healthy babies is the
only successful thing that they can do.  In two cases they are of marginal
intelligence and were brain damaged in early childhood by their mother, who
is still present in their lives.  Their children are great...but will always
be removed and put into care upon delivery.  A whole team works to help
these women have success other than childbearing. We all REALLY want them to
stop having babies but I refuse to allow one of these babies to be the one
that is the consequence.. the cost to it and society would be far too high
through yet another damaged generation.  The answer is not pull the
resources from the families it is to put in programs such as Head Start or
Hawaii's Healthy Start and get the new members of our society off to the
absolute best start we can. Should that include breastfeeding? Absolutely!
and if not from their mother we should ensure those children at least
receive safe human milk.   Talk about a dreamer...Don't I wish, sigh.
Rhoda Taylor, B.A., I.B.C.L.C., Vancouver Island, Canada
Help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.
                            Visit www.amnesty.ca

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