Chicago Tribune health and fitness reporter Julie Deardorff’s interesting column “Breast-feeding debate eclipses mom-feeding” (Q, June 25) injected some clear thinking into the recent media discussion about the government’s Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign.
Although her important and main topic was nutrition and health during pregnancy, her comments about breast-feeding demonstrated her up-to-date knowledge about breast-feeding issues.
The government is looking at breast-feeding as a public health issue and therefore highlights the risks of not breast-feeding.
Deardorff notes that breast-feeding is best but recognizes, as does La Leche League, that not all women will decide to breast-feed.
The traditional approach of LLL is to help mothers who want to breast-feed by giving information and support.
The government is reaching out to women who are undecided about how they will feed their babies.
La Leche League works primarily with women who are considering or have decided to breast-feed.
These are two different ways to educate women about breast-feeding.
Both methods are important and effective.
Thanks to Deardorff for once again raising awareness about important health issues.
Her column is always one of the first to be read.
