Bummed about Brain, Child article dissing lactivists

[Quirky]

In the latest issue of Brain, Child magazine (Summer 2005), there's a brief article on pp. 12-13 about the news on bf these days...the AAP's revised policy, an increase in breastmilk exchange websites, etc.

The part I'm really bummed about is the last paragraph:

We weren't able to find any breastmilk for sale online at press time, and so we wondered if the phenomenon is that widespread. Still, the WSJ article gets at a zeitgeist that lactivists are responsible for creating. They began a negative campaign last year about the "dangers" of formula, as if it were akin to motor oil. They promote the idea that only a tiny percentage of mothers cannot breastfeed. Now, with adoptive mothers being urged to under go "hormonal therapy of mechanical stimulation" [to induce lactation, as the AAP recommended] we fear how much more hard-core this activism can get.

This is signed by Jennifer Niesslein and Stacey Evers - Jennifer is one of the founding editors and Stacey is the contributing editor.

Letters can be sent to [e-mail] and should include a phone number.

[ExuberantDaffodil]

and I submitted an article to them, too.

[MamaTT]

That mag annoys me. Way self-important, IMO.

[sntm]

I love this magazine, so i was also seriously disappointed. I'm planning my letter too.

I do agree that they tend to take the "it's good enough" attitude, perhaps an excessive pendulum backswing from the hyper-anxious mother that has be characterized (caricaturized???) in books and magazines lately.

[annettemarie]

Has motor oil ever been recalled?

[ExuberantDaffodil]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

Has motor oil ever been recalled?

:LOL So true! I laugh, but really it is serious....

In one of the recalls I read there were chopped up bits of black rubber or something in the cans of formula. I was horrified. I mean, has there ever been a case where there were chopped up bits of rubber in a mother's boobs????

[Belle]

nak
i've never heard of that magazine.

[Lula's Mom]

I haven't either. But you'd think if they were concerned about Brains and Children, or most especially Childrens' Brains, they would be all about breastmilk.

[mom2tig99Nroo03]

Originally Posted by ExuberantDaffodil

In one of the recalls I read there were chopped up bits of black rubber or something in the cans of formula. I was horrified. I mean, has there ever been a case where there were chopped up bits of rubber in a mother's boobs????

i think it was actually plastic iirc.

i'd be more worried about the ones that werw recalled because the absolute wrong balance of minerals and nutrients...

[Soxfan Mom]

I had never heard of Brain, Child until I read about it on the media forum here. I went to their site and was irritated by a story in the featured issue (not this one) that had a backhanded slam at breastfeeding. I was surprised the magazine was extolled by readers on this site.

[MamaTT]

I haven't either. But you'd think if they were concerned about Brains and Children, or most especially Childrens' Brains, they would be all about breastmilk.

I think you should write them and tell them just that!

[Quirky]

Excellent point!

[philomom]

I love this mag. I did spot the hateful remark. I'll be writing them.

[zinemama]

I was disappointed in this comment, but it doesn't change the way I feel about Brain, Child in general. It's the best literary reading out there for the thoughtful, intelligent parent who doesn't want to be told how to get kids to eat their peas or how to decorate the nursery for under $5000. I really urge people who haven't read it to check out an issue.

[Barefoot Farmer]

Another Brain,Child subscriber who was appaulled by the article. I sent a letter. I hope there is a response in the Fall issue.