Dear all:

Just as important as the problem for mothers that Nicholas Kristoff of the New York 
Times cited is that the pool of money for Maternal and Child health includes money for 
breastfeeding programs.  I've mentioned before that exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months 
is lowest in West Africa - less than 25% - and these are the countries that already had 
the highest mortality rates even before breastfeeding rates were diminishing.  Most of the 
money that is currently allocated to child survival program goes to products ---- 
immunizations, nutritional supplements, bednets.  These certainly have an important 
mortality reducing role, but not to the same extent as breastfeeding.


New reporters often grab those events that cause a visceral impact in the readers - the 
starving baby, the mom who had the fistula, the child disfigured by the cleft palate, the 
agency that is shipping human milk to premies... which is helpful to draw attention to a 
problem BUT one must think strategically about what will make the most difference to 
promote real long-term sustainable change that is owned by those who live in those 
situations.  If you are going to write, include a strong statement about how breastfeeding 
has the biggest impact of any intervention and should be STRENGTHENED in the package 
of funding.

Best, Susan

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