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A friend posted this elsewhere and I felt it important to post on MDC.
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This month's Parents magazine includes a Q&A section that basically slams breast milk donation, deeming it dangerous, even when the milk is from a known donor! I want to encourage everyone who disagrees to call, write, or e-mail Parents magazine. You can e-mail your thoughts/comments to [email protected]
I have several arguments against their answer in the Q&A section. They recommend formula as a better alternative than donated breast milk. Why is this? Seems a little suspicious that formula manufacturers make up a large chunk of Parenting magazines' advertisement revenue: $$$. Also, they argue that even breast milk from screened donors may contain "harmful bacteria and viruses." Instead of offering up the idea of home pasteurization for milk recipients concerned about this, Parents magazine skips ahead to...recommend formula, of course. (No mention of the recent studies of dangerous contaminants being found in baby formula...)
I am disappointed that they didn't suggest 1.) having one's milk donor screened for communicable diseases, 2.) home pasteurization as an option for those worried about it, 3.) milk donation and wet/cross nursing as a healthy and beneficial practice. While not mainstream in the American culture, wet nursing and cross nursing have historical roots and are still practiced today - in other countries, as well as America.
Anyway, Parents mag will be getting a nice steamed-up letter from me, and I'm debating on canceling my subscription to prove my point. (At the very least, I won't be renewing it!)
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Here is the excerpt:
The question: "Is it safe to borrow pumped breast milk from my sister if I'm having trouble producing it?"
And, their answer:
Quote:
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This month's Parents magazine includes a Q&A section that basically slams breast milk donation, deeming it dangerous, even when the milk is from a known donor! I want to encourage everyone who disagrees to call, write, or e-mail Parents magazine. You can e-mail your thoughts/comments to [email protected]
I have several arguments against their answer in the Q&A section. They recommend formula as a better alternative than donated breast milk. Why is this? Seems a little suspicious that formula manufacturers make up a large chunk of Parenting magazines' advertisement revenue: $$$. Also, they argue that even breast milk from screened donors may contain "harmful bacteria and viruses." Instead of offering up the idea of home pasteurization for milk recipients concerned about this, Parents magazine skips ahead to...recommend formula, of course. (No mention of the recent studies of dangerous contaminants being found in baby formula...)
I am disappointed that they didn't suggest 1.) having one's milk donor screened for communicable diseases, 2.) home pasteurization as an option for those worried about it, 3.) milk donation and wet/cross nursing as a healthy and beneficial practice. While not mainstream in the American culture, wet nursing and cross nursing have historical roots and are still practiced today - in other countries, as well as America.
Anyway, Parents mag will be getting a nice steamed-up letter from me, and I'm debating on canceling my subscription to prove my point. (At the very least, I won't be renewing it!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the excerpt:
The question: "Is it safe to borrow pumped breast milk from my sister if I'm having trouble producing it?"
And, their answer:
Quote:
| "Although you have seen the video of Salma Hayek breastfeeding a hungry baby in Africa (and we give her high marks for good intentions), the truth is that the risks of sharing human breast milk outweigh the possible benefits for healthy babies. Breast milk can carry diseases such a hepatitis B, HIV, and tuberculosis. (Milk from milk banks - used mostly for preemies- is pasteurized.) Even if you know that your sister is perfectly healthy, her milk could contain bacteria and viruses that are harmless to her baby because he shares her immunity, but are not as safe for yours. Your child wouldn't necessarily have the antibodies to protect her against those illnesses, and preterm babies are especially vulnerable, explains Parents adviser Jane Morton, MD., a clinical professor of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. Your best bet is to see a lactation consultant about ways to increase your supply, or you might try supplementing your milk with infant formula." |
