Hi Everyone - I just wanted to share what I wrote to FOX and Friends at
their "Comments" e-mail address:  [log in to unmask]



RE: Too old to breastfeed?

The psychologist on the program gave her personal OPINION.  What scientific
research does she have to back up her opinion?  Remember, 50 years ago MDs
were telling women to feed infants formula, aka Artificial Baby Milk (ABM).
Now the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends AT LEAST one year of
breastfeeding; the World Health Organization recommends AT LEAST two years
of breastfeeding.  Both organizations recommend continuing as long as the
child needs/wants to.  In many cultures, it is NORMAL to breastfeed for 4
years and more.  According to anthropologist, Katherine Dettwyler, mammals
nurse their young until certain developmental milestones have been reached;
in humans, that occurs between 2.5 and 7 years.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by many pediatricians until the child
is 7 - 9 months old, with the introduction of other foods after that age.
Some children have teeth long before the middle of the first year of life,
but that is long before they should be introduced to foods other than
breastmilk.  The appearance of teeth is not an indication that the child
should start weaning.  There are even some infants who are BORN with some
teeth; rare but it does happen.  Does that mean they should be given solids
in the first few weeks of life?  Also, some children take up to 7 years to
develop a strong immune system - one of the main reasons for them to
breastfeed and not be exposed to the risks of ingesting ABM.

Dr. Klein may be a good psychologist but she should do some research before
she gives her personal OPINION on the effects of breastfeeding.  Does she
have any well-designed studies to prove what she said?  FOX and FRIENDS
should have experts to inform the viewers; obviously, Dr. Klein is not an
expert on breastfeeding.  At the very least, the program should have
balanced the presentation by having someone speak about the risks of
children NOT breastfeeding into toddlerhood and beyond.

Warm regards,

Lee Galasso, MS, LLLL, IBCLC, RLC

Lactation Specialist

Lactation Center of Westchester/Putnam

Westchester County in NYS, USA



Vice-President

Westchester/Putnam/Rockland (WPR) Lactation Consortium



"Children Are Born with the Right to Breastfeed"


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