Thursday, August 02, 2007

Thanks for the Mammaries

New York City Public Hospitals are no longer supplying formula samples in the gift bags given to new mothers who deliver at those hospitals.
Instead, the new mothers will each be given a breast-milk bottle cooler, disposable nursing pads, breastfeeding tips and a baby T-shirt with the slogan “I Eat at Mom’s” on the front.

wish we'd get this t-shirt

This has pissed people off who think that breast feeding is not for everyone and this takes promoting breastfeeding too far and makes women who don't or can't (maybe because of flat or inverted nipples) feel badly.

I say that's bullshit. There is legitimate medical evidence to show that breastmilk is superior to formula, even the formula companies admit it. Breastfeeding helps reduce the risks of common childhood infections, asthma, diabetes and other conditions that children who get mother's milk are less likely to develop. Research also shows that that breastfeeding does more to promote brain development than formula.

That always leads to the common refrain "my mother didn't breastfeed me and I'm smart." That may very well be true but it's proven that breast milk is better and I applaud the city's efforts to do everything they can to encourage women to at least try breastfeeding because it's best for the baby, which is what every new mother should be most concerned about.

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