Thanks for your reports, Nancy. You comments on the viral transmission and
obesity reminded me of some concerns I have with regard to news coverage of
both issues.
> From: Nancy Holtzman <[log in to unmask]>
>
> This morning, the session on Viral Transmission in Breastmilk, apparently
> basically said all viruses may pass into breastmilk, but mostly no
> concern/restrictions with exception of HIV, which, in the US, the
> recommendation is to not breastfeed if HIV+. However, ultimately the
> choice is up to the mother. You cannot prohibit a woman from BF. (would be
> nice to have legislation that says that- that aspect was not discussed).
I remain concerned about the messaging around the West Nile virus issue. I
can't remember if I posted in detail about my review of news coverage and of
the CDC's announced or if I just ranted away in my own head...
I looked at coverage in the first few days after the CDC announcement and
while the CDC did say they recommended that breastfeeding continue, it was
not a forceful statement, nor was it close to the top of their news
release/news conference, and it was not in much of the coverage (notably the
AP wire coverage.)
As the days went on I noticed that message showed up less and less.
Now I see a disturbing trend - when West Nile Virus is the subject of a news
report it is common for the article to list the methods of transmission as
including "possibly blood transfusion, and breast milk." These articles
don't mention or discuss at all the CDC's support for continued
breastfeeding because of course breastfeeding isn't the focus of the
article. I also noticed a few articles that stressed a woman who was feeling
ill should discuss continued breastfeeding with her doctor, and one or two
articles that indicated weaning was preferred. Of course the infected woman
weaned on the advise of her doctor an this was widely reported at the time.
We need to do a lot of work in this area and I hope the CDC or someone else
comes out with some strong follow-up messaging. It's winter in my neck of
the woods and I note in other parts of the US WNV season is wrapping up. But
I just know this is going to be an issue next spring. Unless we address this
issue with more forceful and positive communication, women WILL wean
temporarily because they've been bitten and then feel ill and are worried
about their baby's health.
>
> There was a session on Preventing and Treating Obesity in Children. One of
> my pumping clients (a pediatrician) attended and said there was NO mention
> of BF lowering risk of obesity. She asked, at the end during Q&A, about BF
> and Obesity and the speaker said, "oh yes, that should be on the
> list...". Um, then, why WASN'T it???
Another area where news reports aren't making the link. Although there was
good media coverage some months ago of a couple of studies on breastfeeding
and lower levels of obesity, this has faded and I almost never see
breastfeeding mentioned in the large number of recent news articles on
childhood obesity. StatsCan here in our country just released a report on
childhood obesity and I didnšt find one mention of breastfeeding in all the
news items I saw.
> I figured you'd find it as
> amusing (in a way) as I did- at the Enfamil Lipil- Martek booth, they were
> giving away little foam BRAINS and little foam EYEBALLS with the lipil
> logo on them -those small hard foam things that you squeeze in your hand to
> reduce stress- Get it? DHA-brain, ARA-vision?
I did laugh. Sort of. Somebody has WAY too much money in the marketing
budget.
- Jodine
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