We need to realize if we tread too lightly, we will leave no impression.

What would be a greater motivator for any of us, something that  
provides "benefits" or something that prevents risks? Benefits sounds  
like a bonus. We don't talk about the benefits of using carseats,  
eating a healthy diet (when was the last time you heard "Junk food is  
fine, but you'll feel be healthier if you eat fruits and  
vegetables"?), how about the "benefits" of not being obese? Do we  
talk about the benefits of not abusing alcohol? The benefits of  
getting enough sleep? No, we talk about the risks, why should  
breastfeeding be any different? Are people considered overzealous if  
they talk about the risks of risky behavior when those risks are well  
documented? And if we continue to use war, fuzzy language, do we  
protect the mother by putting her infant at risk because we didn't  
give her straight information?

And for the record, I grew up with parents that chain smoked in the  
car with the windows rolled up. Would it be at all responsible for me  
to tell a parent that is acceptable behavior because I survived and  
don't (yet) have any lung conditions? If I did, that would be  
considered appalling, why should the fact that formula fed kids can  
turn out "okay" (and how do you define that anyway?) change what we  
know about the risks of formula?

Mothers deserve factual information and nothing less.

Andrea Tran RN, IBCLC
Boulder/Erie, Colorado

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