In a message dated 11/10/0 6:38:07 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< The vast majority of U.S. journalists also fall to the left of center
politically,
and that crowd can be hostile to the idea that baby needs mom --
believing instead that baby needs a happy,
making-lots-of-money-during-long-separations mom. In general, I would
say most writing about breastfeeding in mainstream newspapers simply
reflects the cultural beliefs of our society.
 >>

"That crowd"? I did appreciate your insight into why bf stories tend to be so
negative. But, in one breath, you say that reporters tend to be mainstream
(which I certainly do see reflected in any kind of health reporting in my
community) and in the next breath that they tend to be left of center
politically. Is left of center mainstream, in your opinion? Either way, I can
tell you that almost all of my personal friends are "left of center" and we
live non-mainstream lifestyles, including normal breastfeeding. I do not
think it is "that crowd" which believes in mother/baby separation and that
babies will be happy so long as they live in big houses w/ parents who make
lots of money. I do think this *is* the belief system of most Americans, but
as we have all seen in the recent political drama, most Americans can be
described as being equally on either side of the political middle.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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