My local CBS station (Channel 9 in Washington DC) had a spot on the 4:00
news yesterday on World Breastfeeding Week (although they didn't call it
by that name).  They said it was a joint venture of the USDA and WIC to
promote breastfeeding.  The "teasers" during the 3:00 hour were
positive, all about the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding while
showing a closeup of a baby at the breast.  The anchors were
enthusiastic ("the benefits of breastfeeding are wonderful, amazing,
etc.) when setting up the spot before they ran the tape.  I was getting
really excited!  Then they ran the tape...

It was a mixed bag of good and ridiculous.  The doctor they interviewed
was asked how soon after birth a baby should be put to the breast.  His
answer?  Immediately, or at least within the first hour.  Super, except
he reasoned that although there was "no nutritional value" in the milk
yet, it helped the baby learn to be familiar with the breast for when
there "was nutritional value in the milk".

He also said breastfeeding in humans was "not natural like in lower
animals". I really didn't like that.  He did go on to say that many
women are choosing to breastfeed for a year or "even" 2 years, but the
nutritional value was not as good after 6 months.

It was like he would give something good but then snatch it away with a
little negative dig in the ribs.  Sigh...

Kathy Koch, LLLL
[log in to unmask]
Alexandria, VA for one more week, then Great Mills, MD