>In a message dated 5/21/2004 2:26:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, >[log in to unmask] writes: > >We have to be sensitive and aware, that we are dealing with women's >bodies, that breastfeeding is a political and cultural issue in a way >that wearing a cycle helmet just isn't....that feeding choices have a >*history* of being influenced in all sorts of ways (see Gabrielle >Palmer)....that any individual woman may have a personal and >highly-charged issue pertaining to her own breasts over and above the >'accident' of belonging to a particular 'place' in time. > >Heather, are you saying that because of the long history and >influences of the formula industry that we cannot discuss with >mothers the risk of formula feeding? Absolutely not!! How can you ask me that, Ann ? :) In almost every post on this matter, I have stressed my own position is that we must discuss risks of formula feeding with mothers, in an honest, truthful way.....but that my concern is that because of the 'specialness' of infant feeding and its unique role, we need to be careful not to think of this dialogue in the same way as we do cycle helmets and similar. I feel quote strongly about this - please forgive my passion on it! : ))) With respect, you are mistaken in thinking that the cultural context of breastfeeding has only changed since the invention of formula. There is evidence that women's feeding choices have been affected hugely by cultural and political issues for hundreds, if not thousands of years (see Gabrielle Palmer, as I suggested). Heather Welford Neil NCT bfc, UK *********************************************** 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(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html