NY Times article

[BusyBeeMom]

FYI... I'm thinking of writing a letter commending Gardiner Harris' accurate description of formula feeding INCREASING risk, rather than breastfeeding DECREASING risk, and also pointing out that the NYC public hospitals have indeed "banned the bags" (yeah Bloomberg administration - they have *overall* been very good on public health).

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/he...th&oref=slogin

[Tine]

I noticed that article today too. (Spotted it on Google news.) And I had the same reaction.... I thought it was a fairly accurate/balanced presentation of the facts. Hooray for good journalism!

[HomeBirthMommy]

It is a good article. I especially like that it mentioned the WHO's guidelines. My problem is that even a sip is considered breastfeeding. IMO, a child does not get the full benefits of breastmilk from nursing a time or two. There is a hospital nearby that says it's breastfeeding rate is in the high 90s%, but my SIL who is a nurse told me that justify that rate by saying any baby that has had its mouth to the mother's breast is breastfeeding, even if they try once and then decide to exclusively formula feed. I just don't think these stats are quite as optimistic as we want them to be.

[Tine]

Originally Posted by HomeBirthMommy

It is a good article. ...I just don't think these stats are quite as optimistic as we want them to be.

ITA on both points. I applaud the honesty of the article, which does point out what the stats really mean.