In a message dated 7/4/03 9:24:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: > Number four on the list is "What's the worst thing > that could happen if you don't breastfeed your child?" > Answer: "Most likely: 'In the long run, nothing,' > says (a NY ob/gyn). ... 'There is absolutely no > conclusive data on breast milk's effects on brain > development.'" The ob/gyn does mention that in the > "worst case" scenario, the mother "misses out on > some of the bonding" and "babies who are breast-fed > are more likely to have a strong immune system and be > sick less than formula-fed infants." The graph also > lists two (assumed, not accurate, imo) benefits of > bottlefeeding to the parents! > Seems to me the magazine contradicted itself. I don't see how "more likely to have a strong immune system and be less sick" is "most likely -- in the long run -- nothing!" Seems as if just those alone are two pretty big somethings! I found it interesting that the focus of "missing out" re: bonding was on the mother vs. on the much less mature baby "missing out." On a bit more positive note, I was reading my 20 y.o. daughter's copy of the recent SELF magazine the other day and, in an article re: "Breast Friends," there is a photo of a mother BF a baby and a caption with a couple of the advantages of BF for the mother. (There is an inaccurate ref to the AAP position statement, but it beats a negative ref!) The article author noted in the text that she "hopes to BF" the twin girls she's expecting. Needless to say I've already emailed the editors via the magazine's web site praising them for including the info, drawing their attention to the inaccuracy, and offering to help should the author need any when she "does" vs. "hope" to BF those babies. Haven't had a return email yet... Still have to email US or PEOPLE -- have to check back on which (and can you tell my daughter is home from college based on magazines at my home?) -- as in one issue there was an article about a former Playmate's problems with breast implant scarring and another article about Queen Latifah's breast reduction and neither article mentioned the potential effects of either on future BF for women who undergo the surgeries or experience a complication, such as the scarring, although both articles briefly discussed other possible effects/outcomes. Karen *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html