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Subject:
From:
"Margaret G. Bickmore" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 6 May 2004 08:52:07 -0600
Content-Type:
text/plain
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text/plain (54 lines)
I think letters to the editors of newspapers that *did* publish the
article may be in order, too.  My local newspaper ran the Washington
Post article under the headline "Breastfeeding Reduces Mortality."
While I was glad to see it, it fairly screamed for Wiessingerizing.
Here is my letter to the editor:

"Editor,
"I was pleased to see the article on April 27 under the headline
'Breastfeeding Reduces Mortality.'  Twenty percent fewer infant
deaths is a significant amount.  However, I believe the statistics in
the article were stated in a misleading way.  Breastfeeding does not
reduce mortality; it is simply the biological norm for mothers and
babies.  In fact, it is artificial feeding that increases mortality.
Looking at it this way, exclusively formula-fed babies are 27% more
likely to die than babies who receive any mother's milk at all.
Comparing babies breastfed for at least three months with those
exclusively formula-fed, the mortality rate is a whopping 61% greater
in the formula-fed group.

"Many perceive infant formulas to be adequate or even good
alternatives to mother's milk.  This study shows that even in an
affluent society such as ours, breastfeeding makes a difference.

In Longmont, all women interested in breastfeeding can obtain free
help from trained La Leche League volunteers.  Find us on the web at
www.lalecheleague.org or call 1-800-LALECHE."

Margaret
Longmont, CO

>How many of you saw this article in your local paper?  I think a letter to
>the editor of any paper which didn't publish this is in order.  I
>wrote:  "I was surprised and saddened that the important research
>(published in the May issue of Pediatrics) indicating that U.S. babies had
>a 20% reduction in mortality if breastfed was not printed in your
>newspaper.  To withhold such information is not fair to the women and
>children in our community.  It is troubling to see that it is still the
>Washington Post that has the courage to print important stories long after
>Watergate.  Your credibility has been tainted.  Sincerely, Lorna C.
>Aliperti, APRN, IBCLC"  I think if the media realize that people expect
>integrity, perhaps they might shape up a bit.  Lorna.

             ***********************************************

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