Please correct me if this is inaccurate, but aren't the AAP and the AAP
conference in Boston heavily supported with funds from the manufacturers of
infant formula and other pharmaceutical behemoths?

I believe that discussions of the "dangers of jaundice" and other topics are
seriously tainted by this influence. (Yes, kernicterus exists and, yes, we
can't ignore jaundice, but returning to "vigintiphobia" will harm more babies
than are helped.)  Breastfeeding babies have much more jaundice than
artificially-fed babies.  Breastfeeding is bad?  OK, I see.

Perhaps I am just being cynical, but part of my cynicism is moved by a recent
bad dream where I saw the AAP selling hundreds of thousands of copies of an
official breastfeeding book to a formula manufacturer.  The corporate
criminal, along with other cohorts in crime is responsible for millions of
deaths in developing nations and elsewhere.

Not only did this dream persist through a long night, but I dreamt that the
pediatricians in charge of the AAP actually persistently defended this sale
and then blithely coopted many of us into believing that they were in
compliance with standard industry practices.

And then we all went to a national meeting to talk about the dangers of
jaundice .  .  .  This is so frightening as to be laughable.  Quite frankly,
there is really only one topic to be discussed in Boston and I wish I had had
the common sense to attend the meeting.

Have a good time in Boston.  Keep your hand on your wallet.  Keep your mind
on your integrity.  We are too good to let them do this to us.

Jay Gordon

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