Re: Lactivists, Chill Out!

By Rosa Brooks
Rosa Brooks is an associate professor at the University of Virginia School of Law.

LA Times, June 9, 2005

To the editor:

It's rather alarming to have a law professor publish an article on immunology, infant physiology and nutrition, morbidity and
mortality--even more so when she assumes she already knows enough not to have to bother to do any studying.

I am wondering if you would like me to write a definitive article on constitutional law?  To make the playing field level, I agree
not to read any previous court decisions or discussions--not even the Constitution itself. In return, I will tell the LA Times
readers everything they need to know about the intricacies of constitutional law. 

I promise you that my article would be just as valid as the one you published on breastfeeding by law professor Rosa Brooks.  More
importantly, it would be a great deal safer.

Ignorance of the law we can all live with--but downplaying the importance of breastfeeding results in increased incidence and
severity of illness, and a higher mortality rate, among US infants.  Making up "facts" about breastfeeding in order to discourage
its practice harms those who have the least recourse to fair representation and address of grievances--the infants themselves.

And you'd think a lawyer would understand that.

Arly Helm, MS, IBCLC
Nevada City, CA 95959

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