In a message dated 7/4/03 9:24:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

> Number four on the list is "What's the worst thing
> that could happen if you don't breastfeed your child?"
> Answer: "Most likely: 'In the long run, nothing,'
> says (a NY ob/gyn). ... 'There is absolutely no
> conclusive data on breast milk's effects on brain
> development.'"  The ob/gyn does mention that in the
> "worst case" scenario, the mother "misses out on
> some of the bonding" and "babies who are breast-fed
> are more likely to have a strong immune system and be
> sick less than formula-fed infants." The graph also
> lists two (assumed, not accurate, imo) benefits of
> bottlefeeding to the parents!
>

Seems to me the magazine contradicted itself. I don't see how "more likely to
have a strong immune system and be less sick" is "most likely -- in the long
run -- nothing!" Seems as if just those alone are two pretty big somethings!

I found it interesting that the focus of "missing out" re: bonding was on the
mother vs. on the much less mature baby "missing out."

On a bit more positive note, I was reading my 20 y.o. daughter's copy of the
recent SELF magazine the other day and, in an article re: "Breast Friends,"
there is a photo of a mother BF a baby and a caption with a couple of the
advantages of BF for the mother. (There is an inaccurate ref to the AAP position
statement, but it beats a negative ref!) The article author noted in the text
that she "hopes to BF" the twin girls she's expecting.

Needless to say I've already emailed the editors via the magazine's web site
praising them for including the info, drawing their attention to the
inaccuracy, and offering to help should the author need any when she "does" vs. "hope"
to BF those babies. Haven't had a return email yet...

Still have to email US or PEOPLE -- have to check back on which (and can you
tell my daughter is home from college based on magazines at my home?) -- as in
one issue there was an article about a former Playmate's problems with breast
implant scarring and another article about Queen Latifah's breast reduction
and neither article mentioned the potential effects of either on future BF for
women who undergo the surgeries or experience a complication, such as the
scarring, although both articles briefly discussed other possible
effects/outcomes.

Karen

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