Gabrielle Palmer (2009 Revised and fully updated edition)
Hard-hitting look at issues surrounding breastfeeding.
The first editions of this book laid bare the appalling practices within the formula milk industry worldwide used to persuade parents that formula milk is as good as or better than breast milk. The lack of objective information undermines breastfeeding and makes formula feeding more risky. Formula milk is promoted heavily in parts of the world where the risks for babies who are not breastfed are very high. 1.5 million babies around the world die every year because they are not breastfed and because of unsafe use of bottles, artificial milks and other products. Most die in the parts of the world where mothers are poor and sanitation and education levels are also poor. Now, 20 years on this third edition should be reporting on a problem solved. Sadly it is not. The position, if anything, is worse and the evidence that the activities of formula milk companies lead directly and indirectly to the loss of lives of mothers and babies is still strong. This book is a gripping read, irrespective of your own experience of baby feeding, and will change your view of the politics of breastfeeding and what needs to be done to protect a mother's right to impartial information and real choice.
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