Having served as past chair of ILCA's now defunct Nomenclature Committee,
logging on as a new Lactnetter and reading the mail re "names for formula"
brought back old memories, most of them not happy ones.  Alternative names
for "formula" were bantered around for years by this committee and no
consensus was ever reached.  It seems the controversy continues.  This is
unfortunate.

I, for one, certainly had more than my share of laughs as this committee
discussed possible alternatives to the term "formula".  However, while it is
fun to engage in developing names with acronyms that express our disdain for
the product(s) and its manufacturer(s), the most recent dialogue on Lactnet
leaves me feeling uncomfortable and fails to recognize the serious need for
an internationally accepted and appropriate alternative for the word
"formula."

Until the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine was formed, Artificial Baby Milk
(ABM) was the term I used both with mothers and with other health
professionals.  Although I had many people request clarification of the term,
no one ever expressed any sentiment that ABM was derogatory or demeaning.  In
asking for clarification, many mothers provided me an opportunity to discuss
the advantages of breastfeeding and breastmilk.  And, even those mothers for
whom ABM use was necessary either on a short-term or long-term basis, their
questions gave me an opportunity to support the mother in her particular
circumstances without using a term that was demeaning.

With the advent of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, I believe it is
appropriate that the acronym ABM be accorded to the Academy along with best
wishes for success in their endeavors.

This still leaves us with a need for an acceptable alternative for the word
"formula".

I suggest we adopt Artificial Infant Milk (AIM).  The word "artificial"
causes mothers to sit up and take notice and question whether or not this is
a product they really want to give to their babies and it immediately conveys
the unnatural characteristics of the product without being inflammatory.  As
with Artificial Baby Milk, AIM will generate questions rather than ire.
 Saying Artifical Infant Milk creates a "teachable moment", no matter to whom
you are speaking and no matter the circumstances.

Anna R. Utter, BS, IBCLC
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