[Editorial from The Globe and Mail, one of Canada's national newspapers]

Most mothers quit breastfeeding far too soon

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060615.HPICARD15/TPStory/specialScienceandHealth/columnists

ANDRE PICARD
POSTED ON 15/06/06

The single most effective way of giving a baby a healthy start in life is breastfeeding. 
As a public-health measure, breastfeeding is unparalleled. It is cheap, easy to understand, has no negative side effects and the method is tried and true -- as old as motherhood itself. 

Yet, Canada fails abysmally when it comes to providing babies with mother's milk.

<snip>

If 85 per cent of Canadian women were taking up smoking within six months of giving birth, it would be a national scandal. No effort and no expense would be spared to address the issue.

That 85 per cent are giving up on breastfeeding at some point during the six months is equally scandalous. 

It is time for public health officials in Canada to show some leadership on the issue. 

There is little justification for stocking formula in Canadian hospitals, let alone distributing samples. More investments are required in breastfeeding clinics. Workplaces and public spaces need to facilitate rather than discourage breastfeeding. Education campaigns, for health professionals and the public alike, are long overdue.

"Breast is best" should not just be a catchphrase; breastfeeding should be a public health priority.

(see link for complete editorial)

Janice Reynolds









             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html