Petition to surgeon general - Page 2

[velcromom]

[acannon]

I wonder if we could sign for our babies, or if nursing toddlers and children could sign it themselves. It might help if chidren wrote a comment about how much they like(d) breastfeeding.

[First Time Mama]

I signed. I would have liked to add a comment, but have fussy babe in arms

[ORxPlant]

Done!

[texanatheart]

Signed. Thank you for posting this!

[Sustainer]

[wahoowhippets]

I signed it too, thanks for posting that!

[Sustainer]

[Sustainer]

[Da WIC Lady]

I signed. I added this comment:

In my job as a WIC breastfeeding peer counselor, I am routinely shocked that people don't know anything about the risks of feeding their babies breastmilk substitutes, that this is not common knowledge, and these risks are not discussed by their physicians. What I say as a person without a medical degree is held in low esteem because the reasoning is that if it were truly a danger to public health that their physicians would inform them and that formula would require a prescription. The "Breast is Best" campaign is misleading. Feeding a baby its mother's milk is the biological standard for both mother and child. Anything else is an inferior method of feeding with significant health risks inherent in it's administration. With the proven increase of mortality and morbidity directly associated with even the proper use of infant formulas it is unconscionable that there is not more of a direct public health campaign to educate mothers not only about the health benefits of breastfeeding, but the inherent risks of feeding their babies by any other means. It was recently in the news that formula company representatives had influenced a Department of Health and Human Services campaign to educate mothers to these risks so that the message was diluted. This serves to show how important it is that it be made explicitly clear by a respected authority, such as yourself, that there are indeed grave risks involved in not breastfeeding. Consumers are not being given the pertinent information from their physicians who are courted by the formula and drug companies, and those same companies seek to suppress information from public health agencies that would allow them to have informed consent before using their products on our most vulnerable citizens. Please do all within the scope of your esteemed office to promote the education of the public not only to the benefits of breastfeeding, but the risks of formula use. Supporting the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, The Ban the Bags Campaign, and the WIC program's efforts to promote breastfeeding is a good start to bringing more public awareness to this issue. I am currently breastfeeding my 30 month old daughter and exclusively breastfeeding my 15 week old daughter.

[Sustainer]

Excellent comments!!

[jessica_lizette]

Signed!