Quoting the Times:
“Mary Beth Arensberg, a spokeswoman for Ross, said the
company bought the books as part of its effort to
educate parents about the importance of
breast-feeding. ‘We agree with the academy that
breast-feeding is the gold standard for infants,’ she
said.”
Somehow the gold standard sounds different coming from
Ross’ lips. Is breastfeeding the gold standard for
mothers? They, of course, are the ones breastfeeding,
or not. Breastfeeding, when spelled correctly, is as
much about the activity of the mother as of the child.
I am concerned that “gold standard” sounds a little
too “special” as in:
“If my child was a princess she might breastfeed.”
“If I didn’t have to go back to work at 6 weeks I
might breastfeed.”
“If I had a cleaning service and a personal trainer I
might breastfeed.”
In its 1997 statement on breastfeeding, the AAP called
on all of us, from pediatricians to employers, to
create a breastfeeding climate for mothers. If there
is indeed a gold standard for breastfeeding, it should
be a standard for the community. Define it as you
like, it is the community that supports each mother
and child. Breastfeeding is at once a physiological
function and a cultural practice. Like other twists
of physiology and culture, breastfeeding will thrive
as the climate to support it thrives.
In more good news from the Times, I was concerned to
see reference to Ross sponsorship of the upcoming AAP
book, "Your Baby's First Year." This can only mean
more fun ahead.
Susan Johnson MFA, IBCLC
Salt Lake City, USA
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