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From: | |
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Date: | Sun, 19 Dec 2004 02:11:47 EST |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
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Mr. Flack,
As a breastfeeding supporter and activist I would like to commend you on
bringing this issue of formula feeding into the mainstream news. I hope that in
a follow-up report you might mention the risks of formula feeding for ALL
children as they are many and common.
Babies who are breastfed never need worry about powder versus liquid,
preparation or brain damage. I grieve for this family, who could have done so much
to INCREASE their daughter's health by providing breastmilk for Ashley, had
someone at the hospital encouraged and supported her mother.
Although most children do not suffer from long term, obvious disabilities
because of formula use, most children do suffer some sort of ill effect from not
being breastfed. The United States has had such low breastfeeding rates
for so long that illnesses that are not normal are now so common that we think
of them as normal. Most people assume their child will have one or more ear
infections before their first birthday. If that child is not breastfed then
they are probably correct, if they do breastfeed they are much more likely to
be mistaken. That is just one example of hundreds.
I would be happy to supply you with sources, articles, studies and the like,
not the least of which is the controversy last year over the release of the
Department of Health and Human Services Breastfeeding Ad Campaign, developed
with the Ad Council and changed due to pressure from the Baby Formula
Industry. In addition there is a world-wide boycott on Nestle products due to their
unethical marketing practices of baby formula. Check out their web site and
click on the link "if you are outside the United States and Canada". Why is
the information different if you aren't in the U.S. and Canada? Because
there is the World Health Organization's 'Code of Ethics of Marketing Infant
Breastmilk Substitutes', which every major formula manufacturer agreed to.
Since there is no legislation in the US or Canada to enforce this Code then the
marketing practices have not changed here. Sad but true, again we see big
companies profiting on the heads of children and their parents.
There is plenty of evidenced-based medicine and loads of research to support
everything I have written here and more. This is the next "tobacco
industry" reform waiting to happen. Get in on the cutting edge of informing the
public now while the iron is hot.
Regards,
Christie Pillado
El Paso, Texas
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