Women's Magazines Send Mixed Messages About Breastfeeding

[annettemarie]

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pb.../70424010/1079

New parents often hear that "breast is best" when it comes to feeding babies, and the media seem to agree — in theory. But despite the fact that magazine articles encourage women to breastfeed, they tend to focus on its barriers rather than its benefits, according to a study conducted by University of Iowa researchers.

Not a terribly comprehensive article, but interesting nonetheless. And who knows--maybe this will start people questioning the influence the formula industry has on women's/mothers' magazines.

[JaneSmith1010]

I think magazines are trying #1 to cater to a mixed group of consumers and don't want to anger either side, and #2 they may be looking to the future formula ads they want to profit from. Either way, this makes me angry. I don't always agree with being polite when it comes to facts. Breast IS best, although I understand formula feeding if you cannot bf. There is no scientific question about it. The same round about journalism regarding whether or not organic food is more healthy than "conventionally" grown food seems non-sensical to me as well. These are some of the main reasons I stay away from popular media sources like women's/ parenting magazines.