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Have you guys heard of Hanna Rosin? She's been receiving some attention lately due to a ridiculous article that she wrote. Here's the article: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200904/case-against-breastfeeding It's rather long, so I'll sum it up. Hanna is a regular lady. She's not a doctor, not a nurse, not a nutritionist. Yet she claims to know all about breastfeeding. She "knows" that's it's a conspiracy. Sure, breastfeeding might be a little better for your baby, she says, but are a few health advantages really worth all the work? She actually admits that she stopped breastfeeding one of her three children after seeing a breastfeeding public service announcement that she didn't care for. She goes on to say that women should be able to eat whatever they like during pregnancy regardless of whether it's good for the baby or not. If you ask me the woman should get her kids taken away, and she should be thrown in prison.

But I didn't write this just to complain about her. I wrote this because there are a lot of women who don't even realize that breast milk is best. I don't know all of the publicity this women is getting, and what talk shows she may appear on, and how stupid the hosts may make her look. In other words, she might appear on shows, and the hosts might not come right out and tell her she's a moron. So I thought it might be good to post some real information for anyone who might be left feeling confused.

Here's a direct response to Hanna's article. It has a summary of Hanna's views and some medical information. The author also talks about how she agrees that breastfeeding can be difficult, especially in America where we say women should do it, yet we don't tell them how, and we don't like them doing it in public, and the hospitals take the babies from the mothers right away, and many women have to work a lot, etc. But she goes on to say that cutting out breastfeeding, something that's actually good for your baby, is not the answer. The answer would be to change everything else. Change the way we see breastfeeding in public, teach women, have more communication with doctors, etc.

"...And what's truly amazing is how the milk actually shapeshifts to meet the baby's needs. Fresh out of the womb the baby gets antibody- and nutrient-rich colostrum, which primes the gut and immune system for life on the outside. Women who give birth prematurely actually produce more colostrum for a longer period of time — the body knows; mother and newborn may be separate but they are still very much in sync.... "There simply isn't any question that something is lost if you don't breastfeed," says Labbok.

Physiology — if we respect it, if we support it — keeps mother and baby physically linked in the immediate postpartum so that breastfeeding can be established.... In fact, if born under optimal conditions, babies instinctively reach for their mother's breast and start sucking away...."
http://www.babble.com/The-Backlash-to-Breast-is-Best-Why-exactly-is-breastfeeding-under-attack/index.aspx

Really great breastfeeding tips as well a little commentary about why it can be difficult:

'If we really want to improve breastfeeding rates, we need to hear: “Breast is best, here’s how to succeed.” I know that there are special cases where breast may not be possible at every feeding - preemies with health issues, multiples, working moms without supportive companies - but in most cases, we as a culture have a responsibility to help moms succeed. We should start our conversations with “Breast IS NORMAL."'
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/my-five-favorite-breastfeeding-tips.html

Breastfeeding 101: Tips and Information: http://www.parents.com/baby/breastfeeding/basics/breastfeeding-tips-from-moms/

A link of links: Nutrition: http://www.parents.com/baby/breastfeeding/nutrition/

What is n****e confusion?: http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/avoidingnipple.html

Tons of articles from reputable sources about the many benefits of breastfeeding: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/prepare/bf-benefits.html

No, I didn't hear about that. That's insane. Why are they saying it should be illegal?

I'm may not of breast fed for personal reason... but i did think about trying.

I think that woman is crazy and should not be brought out in to public veiw because of her stupid opinion.
and those women should be slapped.. ugh.. instead of ruining it for women who wanna breast feed they should encourage it.

So her argument is that if society isn't ok with it being done in public it must be wrong? So I guess she doesn't pee or poop then? xp

I think women are encouraged to breast feed in general. I mean, even formula commercials have "Breast is best" in fine print at the bottom. We're just encouraged to keep quiet about it and not let anyone see us do it. xp But yeah, that doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. It just means we should change the way society sees it. America has made the breast very sexual, but not all cultures are like that. What about when you watch National Geographic, and all the people are wearing nothing but little loincloths? You think they all go around thinking, "OMG BEWBZ!!!!....OMG THERES MOAR BEWBZ!!!1....HOLY CRAP THERS MOAR OVER THERE!!!!" I doubt it. I think we just need to kind of get over that slump, get society used to it, then it won't be a big deal anymore. That's not saying I'm going to whip my breast out everywhere, but if I am covered up, people shouldn't be like, "Ewwwww, breastfeeding! Gross!"

The cans do say it! i find it funny in a way because I used to hate the can in the begining because I didnt breast feed... So I would pre make the formula in a container so I wouldnt have to stare at the can.

I think that everyone should get over the boobie thing everyone has them it just so happens us girls have bigger ones and are made for babies... Oh wait whats this Every mammal female has boobies and we drink the milk from goats and cows.. Maybe when the world freezes over and nobody cares anymore we can whip a boob out and do it with out being bashed for it.

Breastfeeding is difficult. If you're not properly taught how to get a latch, it can be painful and horrible. But formula feeding is expensive and really not as good for the baby.

The most valuable money I spent was to get help from the lactation consultants. Not only did it help establish a good latch, but it helped made breastfeeding not hurt. The only problem I've had so far is doing breastfeeding in public because my baby is so small and my boobs are so big that it's awkward to pull out a boob, get a latch and also somehow cover myself. But that's ok. Mostly I've just gone out between feedings when the baby is asleep and since breastfeeding is well-established, I'm using pacifiers if she wakes up before we can get back home. On top of that, I'm hoping to start pumping my breastmilk because I know for a fact that my baby is going to have to take a bottle or two of my milk when my husband starts to watch the baby during the day when I go back to work. I'm also hoping to donate any extra breast milk because I feel it is so important for women to get breast milk to their baby, even if it's from a bottle. The most important thing is to get the important nutrients that only breast milk can provide.

The stupid woman who is anti-breastfeeding has no idea what she's talking about.