I Think This is Them Telling You to Shut It.

Hannah Rosin's article against breastfeeding has gotten quite a bit of attention from bloggers.  Thankfully, it also came to the attention of the scientific researchers who can prove that her statements were not only false, but also potentially damaging.

Here we have the response from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

"Letters to the editor
The Atlantic
Submitted via email

In the article, "The Case Against Breast-Feeding" by Hanna Rosin, the author skims the literature and has omitted many recent statements including the 2005 statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics which supports the value of breastfeeding for most infants. This policy references every statement with scientific evidence from over 200 articles which meet scientific standards for accuracy and rigor. The statement was meticulously reviewed by the Section on Breastfeeding, the Committee on Nutrition and numerous other committees and approved by the Board of Directors of the Academy. Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in Developed Countries, a study released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (the AHRQ Report) strongly supports the evidence of benefits demonstrated in the breastfeeding research. The evidence for the value of breastfeeding is scientific, it is strong, and it is continually being reaffirmed by new research work. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages women to make an informed decision about feeding their infants based on scientifically established information from credible resources.

David T. Tayloe, Jr., MD, FAAP
President - American Academy of Pediatrics"

Here we have a response from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (excerpt):

"Breastfeeding offers irrefutable and long-lasting health benefits for both mother and baby, which are supported by a comprehensive body of scientific research, including original articles and reviews such as those in Breastfeeding Medicine, the peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) The Academy is a global organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding through education, research, and advocacy (www.bfmed.org).

According to leaders of the Academy, despite a sound scientific basis for the advantages of breastfeeding, dissenting opinions that aim to discredit breastfeeding, and question its relevance for women, receive exposure in the mass media such as the recent article in The Atlantic. Critics of breastfeeding do a disservice to new mothers around the world who seek the facts about the proven health benefits of breastfeeding as they often misrepresent the scientific findings and wrongly base global recommendations on the experiences and views of select groups of women.

Clinical and basic science research supports the role of breastfeeding in the development of a baby’s immune system and the presence of maternal antibodies protect infants against infection. Artificial feeding is also associated with increased risk of common disorders of early childhood such as ear infections, asthma, skin disorders, digestive problems, and respiratory tract infections. Studies have also linked artificial feeding to increased risk for obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes, childhood leukemia, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and necrotizing enterocolitis. Mothers benefit as well, and a history of breastfeeding has been associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and of breast and ovarian cancer."

Now, to the bloggers and commenters who supported Rosin's article, I ask you, how in the world do you reconcile this?  How do you look at scientific evidence, supported by every, and I mean every medical organization out there and still say that the jury is out?

What is really going on there?  What are you really arguing against?

I can understand a woman not wanting to breastfeed for whatever her personal reason may be.  I can also see (and greatly sympathize) with any woman who really was not able to breastfeed.  Those are understandable things, to me.  But to deny the evidence, and spread inaccurate and potentially damaging information is, to me, totally inexcusable.  This is not a matter of opinion, Ms. Rosin.  These are facts.  "Irrefutable" facts, according to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.  You're not helping anybody by sounding like a wacka-doodle who's pissed at her husband for leaving her at home with the kids.

If you don't want to breastfeed, or hate your husband because he isn't feeding your baby, then please, write an article about that.  But next time you decide to denouce science and a woman's ability to hold gainful employment while nursing, you ought to do a little homework first.

How will we ever undo the damage you have probably already caused with your falsehoods?  I'd love to track the trend and see how many cans of formula were purchased in the week after your article came out.  I'd love to know how many mothers threw in the towel because you told them they were wasting their time breastfeeding, weren't good feminists, or couldn't do anything "meaningful" in their place of employment while being a nursing mom.  If it's as many as I think it is - you should be held accountable.  If it's not as many, then congratulations to all the Moms who saw past her rant and thought critically about this issue.

I think that's all I have to say about that.

Comments

[Another Feminist Breeder]

I just found your blog. You're my woman! Thanks so much for your great response to that ridiculous article.

[Emily Jones]

Great post! I agree with everything you say here. I wonder how the percentage of women who quit based on these type of articles compares with the number of women who breastfeed as a result of your activism articles?

I have also nominated you for the Lemonade Award on my blog. Check it out if you want to accept: http://jeremyscorner-grifter.blogspot.com/2009/03/lemonade-award.html

[Brittney]

I have not read the Atlantic article yet, but I heard about it briefly on the news. That was enought to get me annoyed, but reading this assessment made me angry to think she is out there telling women they are not making contributions to their workplaces, etc. b/c they breastfeed. This type of misinformation is inexcusable. This is as bad in my book as spreading the lies that AIDS can be passed through holding hands. I need to go read the article.

I have a minimal criticism of the letter from the ABM. The term "artificial feeding" kind of sticks in my craw. I understand the point of the term, but in my opinion, you're either feeding your child or not. Though formula is not breast-milk, it is still milk and offers nutrition to a child.

[Jenn]

I posted a link and copied/pasted this to the ivillage board - hope that is ok as I really couldn't say it better.

[TheFeministBreeder]

Haaa ha... that is totally fine with me. I'll have to go check the responses.

[TheFeministBreeder]

Well, I noticed that my referrals from Ivillage (and subsequent page views and lengths of stay) sky rocketed after you linked to me. I love the in-depth user data Typepad provides me with.

Today's Forecast? 100% chance of cyber-stalking.
In-ter-est-ting.

[Jenn]

Oops - sorry! Do you want me to delete?

[TheFeministBreeder]

No no, it's fine. At least here I can be the CL and moderator. :)