Sure one person can make a difference.  How many of us, "one person" in our
own milieux, would keep at it if we didn't think we made some difference.
But the question was not whether one person can make a difference, but who
has the power.  And the power is in the hands of the formula feeders.  To
wit:

1. Advertising in the millions, if not hundreds of millions every year.
Compare that to the budgets of countries for promoting breastfeeding.  In
Canada, I'll bet there is no more than a few thousand dollars kicking around
for breastfeeding.  Ross has just put out an ad for their "followup formula"
which has suggested that the formula is made for children 6 to 18 months.
This will soon be the rule, and physicians out there will be telling mothers
that this is the best thing, just as they are now telling mothers "formula
to a year", which is completely unnecessary, and which even many lactnetters
believe is necessary, so good is the marketing.  By the way, in Europe,
pediatricians are telling mothers that formula should be given to 3 years!!!
Marketing, marketing, marketing, and it works.  Almost everyone in Canada
uses formula, even if the babies were breastfeeding well.  An *almost*
unnecessary product which is used by almost all babies.  Doesn't this just
make you ill?

2. Many many physicians, often the most powerful, who basically feel that
breastfeeding, formula, it's all the same.  The members of the nutrition
committee of the Canadian Pediatric Society, who make policy for the society
on infant feeding, have all received (perhaps with an exception or two)
direct funding from formula companies.  The formula companies and the baby
food industry have representatives on that committee, and are not silent
observers.  And what the society says, everyone agrees to.  So vitamin D for
breastfed babies?  Sure, even pro-breastfeeding physicians toe the line.

3. The formula companies have played the "guilt" card so well that even some
lactnetters balk at "pushing" breastfeeding for fear that women will feel
guilty for not breastfeeding.  Please excuse me if I gag.

4. The milieu of so many women who want to breastfeed is so negative on
breastfeeding that they give up even when they and their babies are doing
well.

I won't go on.  We are right and knowing you are right is very empowering.
But right does not always win.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC