Part 2:
Dr. Johnston's (President of AAP) letter to Secretary Thompson"

November 6, 2003

Honorable Tommy G. Thompson
Secretary
Department of Health & Human Services
200 Independence Avenue. SW
Washington. DC 20201

Dear Secretary Thompson:

It has come to our attention that an advertising campaign to promote
breastfeeding is about to be launched by your Office on Women's Health. We applaud
this initiative.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has always been staunch supporters of
promoting breastfeeding as the optimal source of nutrition for most infants in
this country. The current data indicate that the numbers of mother's who initiate
breastfeeding while in the hospital following delivery has steadily increased
over the past decade, and now nearly 70% of these mothers are electing to
nurse their new babies. Unfortunately, the number of mothers who continue to
breastfeed their infants at six months of age drops to about one in three. We
think the numbers in both of these categories can be improved upon, and a public
awareness campaign is certainly a positive step in that direction.

In reviewing the web page of The Advertising Council, the group that will be
developing the media messages for this campaign, we note that the focus will
be on the risks incurred by not breastfeeding rather than to expound upon the
benefits to be derived from breastfeeding. We have some concerns about this
negative approach and how it will be received by the general public. Let's not
repeat the errors we made in the past relative to substance abuse among our
youth where we focused on the risks associated with using drugs and alcohol rather
than promoting on the positive consequences of not getting involved in these
behaviors. We must absolutely avoid making any claims that cannot be
scientifically validated and thus undermine the credibility of the campaign.

As you know, pediatricians are at the very forefront when it comes to
discussing infant feeding with parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics is the
association representing nearly 60,000 of these healthcare professionals, and we
offer our assistance in any way you might deem appropriate to ensure the
effectiveness of this campaign.

Sincerely,

Carden Johnston, MD
President
American Academy of Pediatrics
 CJ/pj

Nancy E. Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC
Neonatologist, Children's Hospital, and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women
Medical Director, Lactation Services, Sharp HealthCare
San Diego, CA, USA
Email: [log in to unmask]

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