I say let's keep it simple.  Is it possible that different names are useful
in different situations?  Names I remember from somewhere, can't remember
where, that I like are "manufactured milks" or "commercial milks".  I like
"human milk" rather than breastmilk, since it always seemed more accurate.
 After all, isn't cows' milk  "cow breastmilk"?  (Or is it "uddermilk"? )  I
like abm for use among lactation professionals, because it's simple and
understood by all.  When I teach breastfeeding classes, I tend to alternate
between formula and artificial baby milk, bottlefeeding and artificial
feeding.  I guess sort of using the term they're all familiar with, but
introducing terms that might make them think about what it really is.
     One thing I have to remind myself often, because it's hard for me to
undertand, is that many people do not share our values and concerns over
whether things are natural, and "artificial" is not necessarily a problem to
everyone.  Look at what they feed themselves!
     I also worry about being too negative about abm, thinking about all the
women I've worked with who must feed it to their babies due to low milk
supply, adoptive nursing, etc.  Usually they feel badly enough about it as it
is.  Or the ones who simply got off to a bad start and don't have the support
to continue in a difficult situation.  That's why it bothers me to hear
people refer disparagingly to abm as "baby junk food", etc., although I
thought of it that way and couldn't even consider giving it to my own kids.
 Luckily I didn't have to!
                                      Miriam Levitt RN,
IBCLC<[log in to unmask]
     This doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to tell the world the risks of
artificial feeding.  Just let's be respectful of people's situations.