I wonder how much of pre-formula infant mortality was due to inability to nurse/failure to thrive.
Well, I think that there was a much greater ability to find someone else to nurse your child if you were having difficulties, then. My sister did some pediatric work in Colombia, and when there were nursing troubles the baby would be handed off to a very experienced mother elsewhere in the maternity unit for a few nursing sessions, to help the baby figure things out. The only person I can think of who would've been willing to do that for Alex - or at least, pump for her - lived 1000 miles away.
But yes, in general I agree. The most mindbogglingly stupid thing I've seen a lactivist say, with the possible exception of chimpanzee milk, was that in third world countries like Somalia, where formula isn't available, there isn't anyone who can't breastfeed. As if there aren't any Somali babies who are just inexplicably weak and sickly, and eventually die.
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Date: 2006-04-12 08:31 pm (UTC)Well, I think that there was a much greater ability to find someone else to nurse your child if you were having difficulties, then. My sister did some pediatric work in Colombia, and when there were nursing troubles the baby would be handed off to a very experienced mother elsewhere in the maternity unit for a few nursing sessions, to help the baby figure things out. The only person I can think of who would've been willing to do that for Alex - or at least, pump for her - lived 1000 miles away.
But yes, in general I agree. The most mindbogglingly stupid thing I've seen a lactivist say, with the possible exception of chimpanzee milk, was that in third world countries like Somalia, where formula isn't available, there isn't anyone who can't breastfeed. As if there aren't any Somali babies who are just inexplicably weak and sickly, and eventually die.