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Date: | Thu, 6 May 2004 08:52:07 -0600 |
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I think letters to the editors of newspapers that *did* publish the
article may be in order, too. My local newspaper ran the Washington
Post article under the headline "Breastfeeding Reduces Mortality."
While I was glad to see it, it fairly screamed for Wiessingerizing.
Here is my letter to the editor:
"Editor,
"I was pleased to see the article on April 27 under the headline
'Breastfeeding Reduces Mortality.' Twenty percent fewer infant
deaths is a significant amount. However, I believe the statistics in
the article were stated in a misleading way. Breastfeeding does not
reduce mortality; it is simply the biological norm for mothers and
babies. In fact, it is artificial feeding that increases mortality.
Looking at it this way, exclusively formula-fed babies are 27% more
likely to die than babies who receive any mother's milk at all.
Comparing babies breastfed for at least three months with those
exclusively formula-fed, the mortality rate is a whopping 61% greater
in the formula-fed group.
"Many perceive infant formulas to be adequate or even good
alternatives to mother's milk. This study shows that even in an
affluent society such as ours, breastfeeding makes a difference.
In Longmont, all women interested in breastfeeding can obtain free
help from trained La Leche League volunteers. Find us on the web at
www.lalecheleague.org or call 1-800-LALECHE."
Margaret
Longmont, CO
>How many of you saw this article in your local paper? I think a letter to
>the editor of any paper which didn't publish this is in order. I
>wrote: "I was surprised and saddened that the important research
>(published in the May issue of Pediatrics) indicating that U.S. babies had
>a 20% reduction in mortality if breastfed was not printed in your
>newspaper. To withhold such information is not fair to the women and
>children in our community. It is troubling to see that it is still the
>Washington Post that has the courage to print important stories long after
>Watergate. Your credibility has been tainted. Sincerely, Lorna C.
>Aliperti, APRN, IBCLC" I think if the media realize that people expect
>integrity, perhaps they might shape up a bit. Lorna.
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