You know I read this article this morning and am honestly floored.  The
opening paragraph is obviously designed to completely minimize and make
useless the attempt to put the risks of NOT breastfeeding as a major point
of EDUCATION.  The article dismisses all of the risks - all of them!  To me
it seems to be a flimsy attempt to ease guilt by casting doubts and (more)
misinformation on the benefits of breastfeeding while minimizing the risks
of ABM feeding.

 

This article states that the AAP was exaggerating findings in it's
literature.  (you've got to read this article!)  It says is several places
that the AAP makes absurd calculations, uses bad science, and makes claims
about findings in research that are simply not there.  Obviously this
article (and writer) see the AAP as an organization that is less than
intelligent.and less than capable of utilizing research and data to present
a clear and accurate picture regarding BF.  

 

The only thing I could agree with in this article is that new studies need
to be done for the new century (as many of the studies used to present the
risks of not BF were done 10+ yrs ago - according to this article) - and
that it is difficult to do a 100% randomized study at this point - I mean,
how many of us want to go to each new mom in the study and say - "OK, you
will be breastfeeding only - and you will be using formula only."  We
already know the risks associated with using ABM - why would we deliberately
impose those known risks on any baby?

 

This article talks about the financial cost of breastfeeding discussing the
loss of wages, the loss of time at work to pump the cost of pumps, etc.  But
no where is there discussion of the actual cost of the extra Dr. visits for
a sick baby, allergies, all the things we know of - the things we have the
studies to back up.  This article totally ignored those data.  Wait - this
article pointed a finger at the health-care system regarding nursing and
infection rates:  

Quote:  "For less affluent families, there may be a greater difference, in
large part due to access to medical care or education. However, it seems
unfair to assign nursing as the culprit, when our health care system might
be a better suspect."  

Regarding the studies that talk about economics, social and psychological
issues the final quote is:  

"Even worse, it makes one suspect that scientific studies are biased by
well-intentioned but possibly misguided doctors predisposed to nursing. 

Really, if these last couple quotes didn't get you heading towards this
article I'm just going to say that you really do need to read this article -
it makes me wonder if this person is employed by an ABM company.

 

Some final quotes directly from the article:

"We found that a lot of those who advocate breast-feeding are relying on
voodoo science; it may not have a harmful affect for most women, but it
could negatively impact those who would otherwise prefer not to nurse for an
assortment of reasons."

And, the very last sentence:

"Our lives are filled with risks, small and large. Not nursing is a small
risk, the real question is what it costs (or benefits) you."

 My question:  Where is the acknowledgement of the BABY???  This is all
about the women - the ADULTS.  What happened to the Babies?  The risks of
not breastfeeding are mostly about the baby.  In the grand scheme of things
the financials, the health benefits to the women who do BF, and everything
else PALE in comparison to the effects that our "Choice" to BF or Not have
on our BABIES.

This article clearly ignores that one important point - which tells me she
missed the point completely.apparently money and adult wants or needs are
more important that the baby who has no ability to make choices about
his/her health care, diet or lifestyle.  

Someday - an article will be written that clearly explains THAT aspect -
that by 'choosing' (as many women do for their own reasons that have nothing
to do with NOT being able to produce milk) to feed our babies ABM is not
only a short term feeding choice - but a LONG TERM, LIFETIME health choice.
How would we as adults feel if someone made the choice for us what we would
eat regardless of the risks or the taste?  I seriously doubt we would be OK
with that.

 

Jaye

Disgusted this morning in Sacramento.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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