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How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding

Louis Hayes

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Published in The Big Letdown: How Medicine Big Business And Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding

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Breastfeeding is the natural and recommended way to feed infants. It provides the best nutrition for babies and has many health benefits for both mothers and babies. However, in many parts of the world, breastfeeding rates are declining.

The Big Letdown: How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding

by Kimberly Seals Allers

4.8 out of 5

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There are many factors that contribute to this decline, including the influence of medicine, big business, and feminism.

Medicine

The medical profession has played a significant role in the decline of breastfeeding rates. In the early 20th century, doctors began to promote the use of formula over breast milk. This was due in part to the rise of the infant formula industry. Formula companies spent millions of dollars on marketing and advertising, and they were able to convince many doctors that formula was a safe and healthy alternative to breast milk.

The medical profession also began to discourage breastfeeding because of the fear of infection. Doctors were concerned that breastfeeding could transmit diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. However, research has shown that breastfeeding is actually protective against these diseases.

Today, the medical profession still plays a role in the decline of breastfeeding rates. Many doctors are not trained in breastfeeding and they are not able to provide mothers with the support they need. As a result, many mothers give up breastfeeding because they do not have the information and support they need to succeed.

Big Business

The infant formula industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Formula companies spend millions of dollars on marketing and advertising, and they have been very successful in convincing mothers that formula is a safe and healthy alternative to breast milk.

Formula companies also use their wealth and influence to lobby against breastfeeding. They have been successful in getting laws passed that make it difficult for mothers to breastfeed in public. They have also been successful in getting funding cut for breastfeeding education and support programs.

The infant formula industry is a major threat to breastfeeding. They are using their wealth and influence to undermine breastfeeding and to promote the use of formula.

Feminism

Feminism has also played a role in the decline of breastfeeding rates. In the 1970s, feminists began to argue that breastfeeding was a form of oppression. They said that breastfeeding kept women tied to the home and prevented them from participating in the workforce.

This message resonated with many women, and it led to a decline in breastfeeding rates. Women began to choose to formula feed their babies because they wanted to be more independent and have more control over their lives.

Today, feminism is still a force that undermines breastfeeding. Many feminists continue to argue that breastfeeding is a form of oppression. They say that it is a way for men to control women's bodies and that it prevents women from being fully equal to men.

This message is damaging to breastfeeding. It makes it difficult for women to feel good about breastfeeding and it discourages them from continuing to breastfeed.

The decline of breastfeeding rates is a serious problem. Breastfeeding is the best way to feed infants and it has many health benefits for both mothers and babies. However, medicine, big business, and feminism have all played a role in undermining breastfeeding.

It is important to be aware of these factors so that we can take steps to protect breastfeeding. We need to educate ourselves about the benefits of breastfeeding. We need to support breastfeeding mothers. And we need to advocate for policies that support breastfeeding.

By working together, we can help to ensure that all babies have the opportunity to breastfeed.

The Big Letdown: How Medicine, Big Business, and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding

by Kimberly Seals Allers

4.8 out of 5