There is a BIG difference between being supportive and understanding and
non-judgemental about parents who choose formula (or who have really
difficult breastfeeding situations that they give up on) and WITHHOLDING THE
TRUTH ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF INFANT FORMULA from people who can choose
breastfeeding.

It is incumbent upon health professionals to provide accurate and thorough
information so that parents can make truly informed choices, and to support
parents in their choice to breastfeed (not sabotage them).

It is also incumbent upon health professionals to help alleviate the
consequences of formula-use.  For example, if a child is raised on formula
(as one of mine was) to make sure that the parents understand that all ear
infections need to be treated immediately, that ear tubes may be necessary,
that yearly flu shots are a good idea, because the child's immune system
will not be as good as that of a breastfed child, that the child may need
extra vitamins and a really good diet to offset their impaired immune system.

On the mother's side, if she isn't going to reap the benefits of lowering
her risk of breast cancer through breastfeeding, then she needs to be taught
the other ways she can lower her risk of breast cancer (diet, exercise) and
be taught the extra added importance of doing monthly breast self-exams and
yearly mammograms, perhaps starting with the mammograms before she is 40.
And since she will be at higher risk of osteoporosis if she doesn't
breastfeed, then she needs to make sure she gets plenty of calcium and
Vitamin D, and leads an active life.  And so on, and so forth.

Women do not need to be protected from the knowledge of the consequences of
their choices.  If they feel guilty, then so be it.

Kathy Dettwyler

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