Risk is a relative term
by Kate Kahn - 21st October 2008
Breast is best. Breast is best. Breast is best. That message has been well-drummed into our motherhood psyche. And I'm not disagreeing. What I do disagree with are the scare tactics employed by over-zealous lactivists that prey on the vulnerabilities of new moms and leave them believing that if they don't breastfeed they are putting their babies at risk. Risk is a relative term.
If a mother can't breastfeed for one reason or another (and there are several plausible reasons), or if a mother chooses not to breastfeed (again, there are several good reasons why a mother might choose not to), formula is not only a viable option but is the safest option. No other food has come under more scrutiny by the FDA than formula, and for good reason: the health of our babies is at stake. No other food group has been more tested. No, formula doesn't have all the nutrients that breast milk has, but it is fortified with all the necessary vitamins and supplements needed to develop a child's brain and physical growth. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be approved for use. Do we really think the government would put our children at risk?
What's really good for the child is that the mother feel confident in how she feeds her child. If the mother feels confident, she'll be able to create a relaxed environment in which to feed her baby--no stress attached. And that's key. The psychological well-being of the mother will lead to a calm, healthy feeding for the child. That, in turn, will lead to increased growth and development. Any association of guilt is not healthy or helpful for either the mother or child. Remember, risk is a relative term.
Comments
Past Entries
This Week's
Question
Sign the Petition
Do moms know best? We believe they do, but the government may not..
Your freedom to choose between breast and bottle-feeding could be in jeopardy.
