Hi All,
  Sorry, on this one, I have to side with Patricia. The producers,
writers and actors, seem to have no problem with having a baby die,
'supposedly' from breastfeeding, but I could almost guarantee that these
same people would laugh at the notion of a baby dying from formula -
which we know is probably as likely - if not more so.
  I also agree that the gut reaction will be to disuade expectant and
new parents from breastfeeding, 'just in case' or 'to not take a
chance.' Simply because very few of us out there actually talk about the
complications and risks of formula feeding.
  These are what is so dangerous about presentations in the mass media -
the 'good intention' (supposedly warning that dehydration can occur
while breastfeeding) hides the real message (why bother when a 'safe'
alternative is available?)
   A better presentation would be, a group of mothers at the hospital
(in the LDR or newborn nursery) and the HCP making comments about the
need to insure a baby is properly latched on, mom can hear swallowing
and that baby should have 6 wet diapers and stools every day and then go
into a discussion on the need to measure the formula correctly (and
why), the need to be careful to clean thoroughly (maybe mentioning
either the need for a dishwasher or sterilizing) all equipment used for
bottle feeding and an admonition to hold and hold properly the baby for
each and every bottle feeding (no propping or letting baby hold bottle)
would better serve the situation. Balance and the realization that no
matter what the method, if something is not done properly - the baby is
the one at risk either for illness or possibly death.
   Just MHO and .02 worth, from a mom who has done both and can list a
million (well maybe not that many but a lot) of reasons why the last two
were completely breastfed - I learned the hard way and it is my daughter
at 20 who is still paying the health costs.

Leslie Ward
Vine Grove, KY