Dear Friends, “The benefits of breast milk over formula, in our society, are over-stated… There is no doubt that breast milk is good – and, all other things being equal can be a wonderful thing to do. But modern baby formula is also good. How much real health benefit does it confer, in our society?” I think we should get back to basics here. The question is flawed. It’s not on us to prove breastmilk, be it donor milk or direct breastfeeding, is “better” than formula. Breast milk is food for babies. Why should any of us have to defend it? I think that breastmilk will become the presumptive food for babies, in all cases, even when mother’s own milk is not available. It just makes sense. I suspect deep down the writer’s concerns aren’t about risks of milk sharing. All our choices come with risks –being alive comes with risks –risks can be managed and minimized. I think the real concerns are over resistance to change, personal squeamishness, unfounded taboos, the unknown, perceived threat to the established order. These one-on-one milk transactions are hugely disturbing (gross!) to people who have internalized the industrialization and commodification of baby milk (formula) as the normal, inevitable way of feeding babies. Or maybe she just wants to hear us say formula is good too, or admit we have overstated the “benefits” of breastfeeding. Okay, uncle. You got me. I did that once or twice when I was a nube. Sorry. But like I said, we have nothing to prove! I think we’ve learned from watching HM4HB that the milk sharing movement doesn’t have a bunch of MDs or RDs or MPH's or IBCLC's or scolds of whatever stripe (not that we are!) driving it – from what I can see it’s grassroots. If women determine that it is of value to them to donate and receive milk—in terms of health, economic value, emotional value, social value – this movement will grow, without us having to argue or convince people like Karleen’s opponent or Rosin or the Wolf woman. Articles like Karleen’s help foster it along. Well done Karleen. Best, Kristen Panzer MS IBCLC Dutchess County NY *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome