Semantics...

[conuly]

Breastfeeding cuts death risk.

Breastfeeding increases intelligence. Breastfeeding decreases risk of allergies. Breastfeeding decreases risk of obesity.

These are all lies. The fact is that breastfeeding does none of these things. Instead, formula feeding increases infant mortality. Formula feeding increases risk of allergies, of obesity, of certain diseases. And yes, formula feeding decreases intelligence.

Breast is best? Bullshit. Breast is average, what people should reasonably be able to expect. Formula is... well, it's not exactly worst, certainly it's a far sight better than starvation or completely inappropriate foods, but it's not the average it's been portrayed as.

And while I don't wish to malign anybody who honestly could not breastfeed, I find it hard to believe that so many people are unable to do so. This is basic biology. How on earth did humans evolve, not to mention overpopulate, if so many people are unable to feed their kids until the teeth come in? And, for those who actually do have a medical problem, why is formula the solution? What ever happened to milk banks, or even wet nurses?

*le sigh*

Here I am, getting caught up in a cause that isn't my own. Sorry about that. I just dislike misleading language. Breast... it's not best. It's just average.

Comments

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

I was being sarcastic about the semantics-- it's one reason I dismiss so many scientific "revelations." They tweak the wording to say whatever they want and to evoke a response.

Yeah, it's fun when you're a writer. But when you have serious information to convey... simple and direct is the best method.

[conuly]

The problem is that many people have this idea that "well, I was okay, there's no real problem". Anecdotal evidence is evil just because of that. Firstly, nobody says "all formula fed children will be dead or idiots" because that's patently untrue. However, they *do* say that "formula fed children are slightly more likely to die in infancy, significantly more likely to be obese, and average about 10-20 points less on IQ tests". That *is* true, especially when you remember that there is more variation within the group. Some people will be in bad health even when their parents do everything right, others will have no problems despite bad care. Just like in class, some people pass when they don't study, others work hard only to fail. On average, though, those who study do better than those who do not. One person saying "that's not true for me" does not make this statement untrue.

And now I must run, will talk later.

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

This is very true-- but you also have to take what others tell you (even if they have a PhD backing their name) with a grain of salt.