Book Review: Milk, Money and Madness, by Naomi Baumslag and Dia L. Michels
Rachael VerNooy
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 34 No. 6, December 1998 - January 1999, p. 132
In the United States today,
just 62% of all new mothers attempt breastfeeding while only 26% are
still breastfeeding six months later. We all wish that more mothers
could experience the joy of breastfeeding their babies. Milk, Money
and Madness provides us with background information that can help
that wish come true.
The book begins with beliefs
surrounding lactation from different cultures, past and present: breasts
as sex symbols, intercourse taboos, diet during and after pregnancy,
care of the mother after birth, beliefs about galactogogues (substances
used to increase milk supply), beliefs about colostrum, care of premature
and small infants, ways to judge the quality of human milk, feeding
positions, and duration of breastfeeding.
The history of wet nursing
is explored. I loved the story of the foundling home in 13th Century
Rome where a corps of wet nurses nursed the day away while listening
to live flute and lute music. As they grew older, the nurslings were
taught to become musicians themselves.
Next, the authors present
scientific evidence on the superiority of human milk for human babies.
They compare the milks of several mammals, showing how the fat, protein
and lactose content is different for each. The most detail is given
on cow's milk, the basis for most formulas, and how it differs from
human milk in its content of proteins, amino acids, fats, salts, minerals,
vitamins, anti-infective substances, even water. They describe the living
components of human milk, which, of course, cannot be duplicated in
artificial feeding products. They also include research evidence showing
that mothers who breastfeed and babies who are breastfed are healthier
in a multitude of ways. As the authors write, "No one who even
remotely understands the miracle of breast milk could possibly say that
the choice between formula and breastfeeding is simply one of convenience"
(page 110).
The book also details the
history of formula feeding. It describes tactics used by manufacturers
to spread the use of their artificial infant feeding product and the
effect this has had on the world's babies. Formula companies generate
huge profits. They have used and continue to use the health care system,
especially maternity hospitals and pediatricians, to promote the use
of their product.
This widespread use of formula
means that worldwide, 1.5 million babies die every year because they
were not breastfed. And this does not only happen in developing countries.
One study estimates that four out of every 100 babies born in the US
each year die because they are not breastfed. That adds up to thousands
of infant deaths a year that could have been prevented by breastfeeding
(page 93).
Fortunately, there has been
steady growth in opposition to inappropriate formula use. Many countries
now have programs to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, as
do international groups such as the World Health Organization. UNICEF,
the World Health Assembly, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action
and, of course, La Leche League International.
Finally, a chapter on women
in the workplace discusses how employers can help women be successful
at breastfeeding. Charts on maternity benefits show how much maternity
leave is guaranteed to women in different countries, how much they are
paid during this leave, even whether they are allowed nursing breaks
when they return to work. Women in nearly every country in Europe get
paid at full salary or close to it for three to five months of maternity
leave and are allowed nursing breaks of an hour or more a day upon their
return to work . In Sweden, Norway, Brazil and Honduras, working women
have access to on-site child care and nursing breaks, making it easier
to work and breastfeed. In other countries, such as the US, policies
vary from employer to employer.
Milk, Money and Madness
is an invaluable guide to the culture and politics surrounding breastfeeding.
It has sold well and is now in its third printing. Editions have also
been published for distribution in Japan and Southeast Asia.
Reference: Statistics in
the Mother's Survey were compiled by Ross Products Division, Abbott
Laboratories, Inc.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:31:22 UTC 2007.
