Ilene posted earlier about presenting advantages of breastfeeding in a non-
offensive manner.  I used to be concerned about this myself.  As a
LLLLeader I see women who have artificially fed other children who are
"attempting breastfeeding" with a new baby.  I certainly don't want them to
feel threatened by my view that there is not a comparison between the two.
On the other hand, how can you compare them?

I usually tell mothers that in this country, in most situations, artificial
feeding has fewer risks than in less developed countries.  It is not
without risks, though, to their baby's health.  It is also not without
risks to their own health.

I would find it hard to give advantages to artificial feeding.  ( That's
good considering I'm a LLLLeader)
The advantages that you find in books like freedom for the mother and other
people being able to care for the baby don't seem advantageous to the baby
or the mother, to me.

Maybe an interesting slant would be to have people discuss perceived
advantages to artificial feeding.  Then you could take them one at a time
and shoot them full of holes!

I think a lot of it is a matter of perception.  Sometimes we need to
confront the issue and point out the flawed thinking.

Laura Barmby