A round-up of media coverage sparked by the NYTime's "Breast-feed or Else" article, and the National Breastfeeding Campaign ads:


Daily Women's Health Policy
Opinion | HHS Tactics To Urge Breast-Feeding Are Not Needed, Editorial Says
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=37942
[Jun 16, 2006] 
      Although federal health officials and physicians increasingly are recommending breast-feeding to customize infants' nutrition and protect them from illnesses, it is "unfair and unwarranted to suggest that women who don't breast-feed are endangering their" infants, a Chicago Tribune editorial says. In a breast-feeding awareness campaign recently launched by HHS, "failure to breast-feed" is likened to "risky behaviors like smoking and drinking during pregnancy" and, among other things, portrays a visibly pregnant woman being tossed from a mechanical bull at the local bar with the caption, "You wouldn't take risks before your baby is born. Why start after?" These types of "tactics are a sucker punch to millions of otherwise exemplary mothers who never embraced breast-feeding as a vocation," the editorial says. Breast-feeding is not an option for many women -- such as those who adopt, have health problems or whose infants cannot digest their milk. In addition, breast-feeding "comes with a lot of emotional freight" because it is tied to whether women work or stay home, according to the editorial. "It's no wonder only 36% of new mothers make it to the six-month mark that would earn them the [HHS] seal of approval. But the rest, their babies will grow up fine," the editorial says, concluding, "Formula may be a pale substitute for breast milk, but it's not poison" (Chicago Tribune, 6/15).

 NBC's "Nightly News" on Wednesday reported on the campaign. The segment includes comments from Suzanne Haynes, chief scientific adviser at the Office on Women's Health, and U.S. women (Ellis, "Nightly News," NBC, 6/14). A transcript of the segment is available online at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13326810/  The complete segment is available online in Windows Media.


the Chicago Tribune Article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0606150128jun15,1,2685653.story?coll=chi-opinionfront-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
The breast police
Published June 15, 2006

When it comes to feeding your baby, breast is best. You hear it from your doctor, your mother, your neighborhood La Leche League enforcer, even the makers of commercial baby formulas.
(see link for full editorial)



Item from East Texas:
6/14/06-Tyler
Ad Campaign Promotes Breastfeeding As Only Healthy Option For Babies
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5032299&nav=1TjD

Doctors have always said breastfeeding is a personal choice for new mother.  However, a new campaign from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services say it's not an just one option... breastfeeding is the only healthy option.   Some East Texans who say that comparison is not fair.  
(see link for full article and video clip)


Janice Reynolds
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