Replies to '10/07 The Latest Debates'

From a young woman's point of view? You should take it upon yourself to become educated on the topic because your body has the amazing capability to make a little person and feed that person and nurture him or her. Some day you will probably be faced with this choice, and the many issues of a mom. If you knew the health risks of formula you might change your opinion. I don't feel it's my business whether a mom chooses formula or not, but it is certainly my business and my duty to protect, encourage, and support breastfeeding. This may be done by educating people on the risks of formula so they will choose breastfeeding, or it may be done by supporting women who feel oppressed by people who try to shun us away when we are feeding our babies. This country is going down the tubes. We could all use a reality check with our choices, ranging from choices made as a young woman (what we do to our bodies before we become pregnant), how we take care of ourselves and our babies, and how we help our children grow up healthy and happy. It is the duty of those who have information to share it. How would you feel if you were deprived of a needed medicine because a doctor didn't choose to recommend it to you in the midst of your illness? The failure of the medical community in this arena has been to promote and condone formula when it is far from adequate food. Breast milk is like a continuous vaccine for the baby. It is designed by God to meet all the needs of the baby and it changes with the baby. For instance a premature baby will get special milk from his mommy that differs from the milk of a full term baby. And even up to age 7 the milk changes to meet the needs of the growing child. In many places people nurse their children, not just babies. But for some reason in America we've developed some sick complex and hatred of nursing moms.  

I can understand women choosing formula because they have to work and don't have enough time to pump, though I think employers should be making every effort to make pumping convenient for women. I can understand using it if you are medically incapable of producing milk, or have HIV, etc. But to remain ignorant to the facts and choose it because you believe it's more convenient is just sad for babies.