Several moms from mothering.com have written to the non-profit program, Zero to Three, who will receive funds from this campaign.

They have each recieved this response:



Thanks for writing to us about the Best for Mom/Best for Baby initiative. We wanted to respond and let you know a little more about the initiative and ZERO TO THREE's involvement in it.

First off, ZERO TO THREE recognizes that research has clearly shown the benefits of breast milk and we are very supportive of and encourage breastfeeding. Please be assured that ZERO TO THREE in no way equates the nutritional value of breast milk with that of formula. That being said, what needs to be clarified is that this initiative is not about influencing a parent's choice. It is about making sure that parents get all the information they need. Then, once they have made their decision, supporting them in a way that allows them to establish a strong, healthy feeding relationship with their baby.

One of the most critical aspects of a young child's development is his or her ability to attach to mom. There is a vast and robust body of research supporting the fact that a mother's sense of comfort and confidence is critical to her ability to connect to her child and respond sensitively to her cues. This is true for virtually all parenting decisions -- be it comforting a baby, disciplining, or sleep. Simply put: Babies do best when moms feel comfortable and secure during their daily interactions with their baby. 


Thank you for being in touch with us. 

Tammy L. Mann, Ph.D.
Deputy Director

ZERO TO THREE
2000 M. Street N.W., Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
202-638-1144-voice
202-638-0851-fax
[log in to unmask] (email) 


I had these comments to suggest to the moms, in response to the above:


You need to write back and request answers to the following:

1.)  Specifically, how does this campaign ensure full information is provided to parents on which to base their feeding decision?

2.) How will this campaign ensure that women who *chose* to breastfeed are supported - through access to certified lactation consultants and trained health professionals to solve problems, access to peer support groups, breastfeeding legislation to ensure right to breastfeed in public, and legislation to facilitate breastfeeding/pumping breaks and adequate pumping facilities in the workplace?
Without these supports, it can be very difficult for a breastfeeding mom to be allowed to establish a strong, healthy feeding relationship with their baby, as any mom who has breastfed a child for any length of time, would verify.  There is a vast and robust body of evidence supporting the fact that large number of women do *chose* to breastfeed, but are sabatogued from doing so by any number of societal barriers, as noted above.

3.)  Please detail the body of research supporting the fact that a mother's sense of comfort and confidence is critical to her ability to connect to her child and respond sensitively to her cues.  

4.)  Please present any research you have that verifies that a baby reacts negatively to a mom that does not feel relaxed or confident while breastfeeding?

5.) Please present any research that shows that the factor that the mother is secure and confident in her daily interactions with baby, has a great impact on infant outcomes that proper infant nutrition and immunology development.

6.) How long will your campaign last?  As the volume of research supporting the fact that breastfeeding is a biological neccesity for human children, and as more and more women *choose* to breastfeed, will this campaign continue to be active in the next years and decades to reassure women in their *choice* not to breastfeed, as they deal with their children's and grandchildren's questions as to why they were not breastfed?


(I think this organization is perhaps more answerable to us, for thier participation in this, than the private companies.  They can make their own stupid mistakes.  But the presence of this organization gives legitimacy and a "stamp of approval" to the campaign.  Cause of course they would have checked the whole thing out before they lent their name to it???  (tongue in cheek))
Janice Reynolds

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