Well sure there is more to it than breastfeeding or exclusive breastfeeding,
for goodness sake. And there is more to it than the word "Rwanda". In the
first place, grinding poverty (poverty as we can't even imagine in North
America) and the family disruption that often occurs because of that
poverty, disempowerment, and fear of the "other" occur no matter how the
children are fed. The colonial history of Rwanda has a lot to do with much
of the above, as already mentioned.

But I am seeing patients from Africa, and you know what, the mothers, who
were born and raised in Africa, who are often in their 20's or 30's were
*not* breastfed, not even token breastfeeding, never mind breastfed for 2 or
3 years (at least according to them). It is the "privilege" of the well off
(who are more likely able to immigrate) not to breastfeed, and also to lead
people into violence.

The word "Rwanda" doesn't explain anything about breastfeeding and violence.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC

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