Dear all:

The problem with this phrase is that often humans do not look beyond the surface.  The definition of "broke" requires really thinking deeply about subtle and future consequences.  But that rarely is the case when this phrase is applied to a situation.

At any one moment in time, how many of you can actually look at a baby in isolation and determine if that baby is exclusively breastfed?  The prevalence of early childhood diseases at any one moment in time is relatively low in developed areas of the world, yet the INCIDENCE of early childhood diseases over a period of time is much greater among formula fed infants.  If you see a formula fed baby when it is not experiencing a childhood illness you may conclude "its not broke" so don't fix it. And if you simultaneously see a breastfed baby is ill, you might conclude that the "hype" about breastfeeding is bunk. The formula fed baby may then go on to have 3 times more incidents of diseases and the breastfed baby may experience none.  Or, that particular formula fed baby may have a genetic make up or exposure that is different and still have fewer incidents of childhood disease than that particular breastfed baby.  Should we then conclude that the formula fed baby is a situation in which "its not broke, don't fix it"? We all know that even beyond the childhood diseases, there are many other health effects that you may not see until that formula fed baby is much older.  

We should not only be looking to "treat" readily apparent breastfeeding problems, but also to gently steer mothers towards "preventing" future eating disorders.  Normal breastfeeding as defined by what is physiologically normal for the baby, not what is perpetuated upon and TOLERATED by the baby should be the used as our framework. Just because a baby tolerates something doesn't mean that there are not consequences later.  

Best,

Susan Burger

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