The Politics of Breastfeeding

"The Politics of Breastfeeding" has been revised and updated for 2009. The author is none too happy about the on-going need for this book. "Twenty years ago when I was writing the first edition, more than three thousand babies were dying every day from infections triggered by lack of breastfeeding and by the use of bottles, artificial milks and other risky products. This is still happening." In many industrialized countries the issue is airbrushed away with the cocky self-assurance that these risks don't apply to "us". Think again. Powdered infant formula is not sterile and is sometimes contaminated with pathogens such as Enterobacter sakazakii, salmonella and staphylococcus aureus which can cause serious illnesses. The "2002 outbreaks of serious infection and one death amongst babies in a US hospital intensive care nursery" and the deaths of twins in Belgium cited by Palmer, are only the tip of the iceberg. A 1988 analysis "found that one in five of the US babies who died at between seven days and 12 months of age did so because they were not breastfed". Since that time there has been no official action to reverse this and formula promotion has increased. This is not just down to the skullduggery of industry. It is also about the collusion of governmental bodies and medical powers-that-be which are supposed to have our best interests at heart. A 2004 Department of Health and Human Services breastfeeding promotion campaign highlighting the risks of artificial feeding was derailed by industry pressure, the solid science behind it - supported by DHHS' own Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - trashed by DHHS upper management. A 2008 CDC report ranked US infant mortality rate as 28th world-wide; Time magazine for August 3, 2009 puts it in 30th place; the CIA World Fact Book estimate for 2009 was 43rd place. There are many reasons for this but lack of breastfeeding gets no mention at all in these reports. The reasons for this silence - and for the enduring campaign against breastfeeding - are very complex. Palmer unravels much of the mystery behind it - in 400 meticulously documented and beautifully written pages. It's absorbing reading - not just about breastfeeding but also about how we get bamboozled into needing" foods of all sorts that do not promote health. Reviews of earlier editions gave it 5 stars - I'd give it 7 if I could.

I didn't understand breastfeeding advocacy until I read this book. Gabrielle Palmer covers all the bases on why we need to protect future generations from the mass marketing of infant formula, and how those products have become so prevalent throughout our society and the world. Covers the Nestle' illegal marketing tactics so thoroughly that I can't even consider buying any of their products. Background on the World Health Organisation's stance on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes made me realise what an all-encompassing public health issue breastfeeding is.

As a breastfeeding advocate myself, I wish that all young men and women were required to read this in high school, before parnethood. This book lets the reader see the conection between money, big business, and formula marketing. The book educates on the vast differences between artifical feeding and human milk, differences that the general population is unaware of. If you want to get fired-up over an issue, this is the book for you.

As someone who had to defend breastfeeding my child, I already had strong views about how society looks at the practise. The first time I read this book (first edition)I found the history behind it fascinating. What really alarmed me, though, was the truth behind formulas and what used to pass as formula! After getting the second edition, I was dismayed to find that nothing had improved in 10 years. This book is well researched an passionate. Be warned! After reading this, you may just become an activist!

I didn't understand breastfeeding advocacy until I read this book. Gabrielle Palmer covers all the bases on why we need to protect future generations from the mass marketing of infant formula, and how those products have become so prevalent throughout our society and the world. Covers the Nestle' illegal marketing tactics so thoroughly that I can't even consider buying any of their products. Background on the World Health Organisation's stance on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes made me realise what an all-encompassing public health issue breastfeeding is