Colin's letter was excellent with one exception.  Here is my response:

Colin Knau's response to the James Glassman rant was excellent. I only take
exception to the way the following was stated:

 "Risk of common cancers and post partum depression is significantly
reduced. Babies suffer less stomach problems, enjoy reduced risk of
diabetes, obesity, allergies and eczema, respiratory and heart disease, and
more. They have higher IQ and self esteem, and generally eclipse North
American milestones of development. Physical touch so vital to health is
cherished, fostering healthy brains, social adjustment and precluding
violent behavior. Suckling develops and aligns baby's palate, epiglottis,
eustachian tubes, teeth and eyes. Resulting in a decrease of - SIDS, acute
inner ear ache (AOM2), corrective surgery, dental work and glasses." 

 

This perpetuates the common idea that formula feeding is the norm.
Breastfeeding should be the norm against which any other methods are
compared, which would make the following  a more appropriate statement: 

"Risk of common cancers and post partum depression are significantly
increased when mothers do not breastfeed. Babies suffer MORE stomach
problems, INCREASED risk of diabetes, obesity, allergies and ezcema,
respiratory and heart disease and more when not breastfed. They have LOWER
IQ and self esteem, leading to lower potential North American milestones of
development. Because suckling (at breast) develops and aligns baby's palate,
epiglottis, eustachian tubes, teeth and eyes, those who do not get it show
an increase in SIDS, acute inner ear ache (AOM2), corrective surgery, dental
work and glasses." 

 

Artificial infant feeding has become so pervasive in our society that
current rates of ear infections, for example, have become viewed as normal
for babies. Has God, evolution or whatever you attribute human development
to, been so dysfunctional as to make such a painful condition "normal". I
think not! 

The fact that some may view breastfeeding as "inconvenient" for "modern"
women in no way negates its importance to the child. Let's face it,
pregnancy and giving birth might also be vied as "inconvenient". I suppose
those of Mr. Glassman's view long for the day when artificial wombs will
relieve women of that inconvenient duty also. Equal rights, importance,
value of the sexes doesn't have to mean equal functions. 

Winnie Mading 

Working for the best for mothers and babies for over 35 years.


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