In looking for some other baby items on "epinions" I came across reviews of
baby formula and started reading them. Many of the mothers who wrote these
reviews began by explaining why they were no longer breastfeeding. The
stories almost made me cry - the mother who was told she had to wean because
her baby had breastmilk jaundice, caused "because her milk had some
dangerous substances in it that stopped the baby's liver from working
normally." Mothers who felt their milk supply had decreased (usually
described as the baby wanting to nurse more frequently, no mention of weight
loss, etc.) so the doctor advised them to introduce formula "so the baby
wouldn't starve." It is discouraging to know that mothers who really want to
breastfeed are still getting unhelpful medical advice. Some of their stories
are also amazing testimonies as to the effectiveness of formula marketing
tactics - a mother describes how she was worrying about her baby getting
enough when she happened to get some coupons for free formula in the mail.
Naturally, she went out to pick up the formula - and guess what, she's still
feeding the baby that brand today. Very sad.

Teresa Pitman

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