I hope that as we encounter concerns with differences
in breastmilk composition and with contaminants that
we are careful to address the true concerns:  the
effects of diet, environment, and breastfeeding
management.  Joyce’s original post alarmed me as she
was being asked to consider “new improved formulas” as
superior to the milk women are making for their
babies.  When milk composition is less than current
thinking considers “standard” we need to address the
reasons the milk is different, not replace human milk
with something less.  DHA levels are a case in point;
they are dramatically different in different
populations.  But why?  And how can we bring those
levels to the appropriate standard?

There have been several posts lately regarding the
practice of formula reps marketing a superior product
to those of us charged with helping mothers
breastfeed.

If I was unclear in an earlier post, I hope I am more
clear now.  In no way would I wish to suggest we
should naively assume human milk is always perfect in
an imperfect world.  On the other hand it is not milk
or breastfeeding that fails or needs replacing. More
often it is the changes in that imperfect world
undermining milk and breastfeeding that should be
rectified.

I am gravely concerned with commercial interests in
creating a product that claims superiority to human
milk.  I am concerned with a climate that fosters such
an idea.  I am concerned that breastfeeding advocates
may unwittingly fuel a fear of human milk.

With AIM manufacturers stockpiling patents to the
components of human milk, more of us should be
alarmed.  Taxpayers may wish to question the use of
public funds for such research.  Women may wish to
question the motivation for products which undermine
the breastfeeding relationship and the lactation phase
of reproduction.  The whole village should be alarmed,
not simply a small group of nursing mothers and their
attending LCs.

There is a world of difference between seeing
breastmilk as deficient and seeing breastmilk as
compromised.  There is an even greater difference
between the loss of breastmilk (the commodity) and the
loss of breastfeeding (the relationship).  And Hilary,
there is nothing subtle about this loss.

Multinational AIM manufacturers have long known the
difference and market accordingly.


Susan Johnson  MFA, IBCLC


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