Hello all, especially Pam Wiggins!  I can really relate to your Health Fair
frustration!  Why is it that when formula feeding is discussed or covered in
the media, educators and media feel no need to discuss breastfeeding (except
to say the line "Breast is best, but if you are unable to breastfeed...").
 Yet, whenever breastfeeding is discussed, particularly by the media, there
always seems to be a need to add information about formula feeding.  I feel
that it's a popular culture problem.  After all, do you realize how hard it
is to find a baby card or gift wrap without a bottle or pacifier on it!!!
   Anyhow, what type of educational things have you all done to combat this
information. I participated in the Great American Teach In at my son's school
last November.  My topic was the biological specificity of milk.  I told them
that I would teach the first grade about how mammals feed their babies.  We
went through all sorts of animals: dogs and cats, and even platypus and blue
whale (which by the way, produces 130 gallons of milk a day!).  Throughout
the whole thing children were making comments like, "ah! How cute!"  When
they saw mother's nursing their babies, it went from ah to ooo! yuch!  The
large majority of children were disgusted and uncomfortable.  We have our
work cut out for us when as early as 6 and 7 years of age, breastfeeding is
abhored!
                                                                     Debbie
Albert, IBCLC