An article in last Sunday's NY Times addressed the benefits of breastfeeding
for women. As it begged to be "Wiessinger-ized", I contacted Diane and
together we came up with the following letter-to-the-editor; Diane graciously helped
me with statistics and some wording and just as graciously declined having
her signature included. (unfortunately, it was not published, but then somebody
had to read it and maybe that somebody learned something, and shared it with
another somebody, etc.)
She suggested I post it to Lactnet as an example of how each of us can
"spread the word."
Letters To The Editor:
As a breastfeeding specialist, I applaud the article, "Babies Aren't the Only
Beneficiaries of Breast-Feeding," Sunday, 6-22-03, but I am concerned about a
key missing word. Formula-feeding impairs normal good health and the word
formula does not appear in the article.
Increasing awareness and information about breastfeeding is important. But
breastfeeding is written about as if it's this new scientific discovery, when
simply, it is normal infant feeding.
Shrouded by years of formula feeding, we tend to think breastfeeding has
"advantages", yet we don't say that "clean air reduces the risk of lung cancer."
So rather than looking at breastfeeding reducing the risks of ovarian cancer
by 30%, take that same statistic and apply it to formula feeding. "Formula
feeding causes a 43% increased risk of ovarian cancer." A bit stronger
statement and one that makes breastfeeding the norm against which all else is
measured.
Barbara Latterner, RN, IBCLC, RLC
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