Tina wrote, 'Mothers are still encouraged to make an informed "choice"....'

You took the words right out of my mouth!

I still can't understand the reasoning behind a statement which sets 
out the advantages of breastfeeding and the hazards of 
formula-feeding and then follows it by encouragement to mothers to 
make an informed choice.  A choice is, by definition, an either-or 
thing;  the implication being that mothers can either breastfeed - or 
not.  Since the ABM and the AAP and other organizations have the 
knowledge, education and expertise (based on current research which 
is clearly set out) to know that (with extremely rare exceptions) 
formula-feeding leads to inferior health outcomes compared to 
breastfeeding, it would seem reasonable that an "evidence-based 
recommendation to breastfeed" would be so much more 
appropriate.  Why, then, is feeding method still framed as a 
choice?  Is it because if the health provider doesn't give clear 
advice, then only the mother can be blamed for the outcome - in other 
words, is it an accountability/liability issue?   Or is it a question 
of rights?  And if so, whose - the mother's or the baby's??

Pamela Morrison IBCLC
Rustington, England
--------------------------------------------------
I'm afraid the ABM statement strikes me as barely better than the AAP
statement. "Benefits of breastfeeding" is the mantra here, instead of
"risks and harms of formula feeding". "Formula" is in fact never mentioned
by name (the term "artificial feeding" is good, but not as powerful, imo).
Mothers are still encouraged to make an informed "choice"....

Tina
----------------------------------------------------
.......Breastfeeding offers irrefutable and
 > long-lasting health benefits for both mother and baby, which are
 > supported by a comprehensive body of scientific research, including
 > original articles and reviews such as those in Breastfeeding Medicine,
 > the peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.
 > The Academy is a global organization of physicians dedicated to the
 > promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding through education,
 > research, and advocacy ( www.bfmed.org).
......"The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine encourages all women to make an
 > informed choice when faced with the question of how to feed their
 > infants based on strong, well-referenced scientific information. The
 > data are compelling, scientific, and reinforced constantly.

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