I read the New York Times (and the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and the LA Times) ever day. This past weekend, I read a posting from Dr. Courtney Jung that pushed my buttons.

I recognize she had her buttons pushed, too. But, I expect the editorial standards of the Times to uphold the publishing of facts…or the mention that certain statements may not be substantiated with evidence.

Jung was pontificating abiut breast feeding one’s child. Oh, I know many moms and ‘experts’ go overboard in their promoting the practice, too.

For example, while mom’s breast milk is superior to formula (provides better nutrition, antibodies, lowers the incidence of attention deficit disorder [check the search button for ‘breast’ to see the posts about breast feeding]), it is not quite the same if the mom pumps her milk, freezes it, and then feeds it to the child later.  Because bonding between mom and child is part of the process, too.

And, while Obamacare (PPACA- the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) has made it possible for moms to obtain breast pumps (they ain’t cheap!), there is a catch. One has to purchase the pumps from an approved, certified medical equipment provider. Not just searching for a unit over the counter at CVS or Walgreens or some other retailer. This means mom’s can’t just run out and buy a pump  if they need it- now.

There’s also a cap on the payments for the pumps. So, the top of the line models, such as Medela’s, can’t be acquired under the law. And, the capabilities for many of these lower cost models are insufficient; the expression of milk is greatly diminished from those units, according to lactation consultants.

Now, consider the fact that paid maternity leave is far from universal. So, moms MUST pump, should they elect to breast feed their progeny most of the time. At least in the US, this is true, which is why upwards of 85% of moms pump their breasts to feed their infants.

Even so, breastfeeding your infant is a smart move. As I’ve written, the data demonstrates reduced incidence of asthma, better immunity for the child, better biological populations in the gut of breastfed kids, lower ADHD incidence, etc.  And, for those folks who need financial assistance, there is no need to purchase formula, which is certainly another benefit.

So, yes, breast feed your child. Six minths minimum, 12 months is even better.

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