I'm sorry to have to be disagreeable after nearly 2 weeks off-line, but I
feel very strongly about the impact of formula on society.  I must say that
I disagree, respectfully but vehemently, with Dr. Detwyller about formula
only impacting that individual's own child.  Actually, I'm surprised that
Kathy would state this.  As most of us who have read MILK, MONEY and
MADNESS, THE POLITICS OF BREASTFEEDING, and BEYOND THE BREAST-BOTTLE
CONTROVERSY can easily recite, the negative impacts of formula are far
reaching:  environmentally (cow-based pollution, water consumption, land
use, manure leaching, transportation, deforrestation, etc); health insurance
pooling costs (all of us pay for the increased costs of negative health even
in the US where there is no National Health Insurance system) or WIC
subsidies; decreased productivity of parents to care for sick children and
decreased future productivity of those formula fed children as sicker adults
(I won't go into the IQ issue); violence, psychological issues, etc. are all
factors which are not immediately apparent, but important.  I'm saddened
when I hear those who are not informed fail to recognize these, but confused
when I hear someone who I respect and consider exceptionally knowledgeable
"overlook" the wide reaching negative impacts of formula.  Please, let's try
to be careful about this.  As someone reminded me when I was inconsistent
about suggesting that formula be available only by prescription, but that I
believe herbs should be OTC.  We need to provide peer-review and education
to gently remind each other that WE are the "run-way" superstar models for
lactation.
Respectfully,
-- Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC    [log in to unmask]

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