Tell The Atlantic to Support Mothers AND Breastfeeding: Write a Letter to the Editor!

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A storm is brewing against breastfeeding with the publication of Hanna Rosin’s article "The Case Against Breast-Feeding" in the April 2009 issue of The Atlantic. Rosin was also featured on the Today show on March 16 with NBC News Chief Medical Editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman. Although their discussion deplorably misrepresented the medical research on breastfeeding, it also appropriately highlighted a much bigger issue: it can be very challenging to achieve optimal breastfeeding recommendations in the United States.

The United States Breastfeeding Committee has sent a letter to the editor of The Atlantic, co-signed by many of our members and other national organizations. But we also need your help to bring an end to this unnecessary and irresponsible "debate" about the proven health risks of not breastfeeding, and to reframe the discussion to focus on what's really at stake: support for mothers and families. Letters to the editor can reach a large audience, allowing readers to comment on the way issues are addressed in the mass media. USBC will be able to track the number of letters sent through this tool.

We've made it easy for you to write to The Atlantic by providing talking points for your letter, but editors want to hear from you in your own words. You'll be able to click to choose which talking points to add to your letter, but we recommend that you edit them and add additional comments of your own.

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Letter to the Editor

The Letter to the Editor Section is one of the most widely read sections of the newspaper and can reach a large audience. It allows community members to comment on the way issues are being addressed in the media and to influence the topics the local paper may choose to cover. Elected officials often monitor this section of the newspaper and take notice of constituents' opinions.

We've made it easy for you to contact your local newspaper with your views, but editors want to hear from you in your own words.

  • James Bennet
    The Atlantic
    letters@theatlantic.com

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Click on a point to add it to the letter.
  • Ms. Rosin’s selective citing of the scientific literature could cause harm by misinforming the public on a critical issue for both women’s and children health. The article does not even mention the most recent, comprehensive, objective review and analysis of breastfeeding research. The AHRQ Evidence Report (2007) considered only the highest quality studies, concluding that they demonstrated significantly reduced risks of disease for the breastfeeding child and mother.

  • As is so often the case, Ms. Rosin focuses on the children’s health aspect and does not mention that breastfeeding is also a significant woman's health issue. The longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and diabetes. Women need to have access to all of this information when making breastfeeding decisions.

  • Ms. Rosin comments that breastfeeding “is a serious time commitment that pretty much guarantees that you will not work in any meaningful way.” This point of view seriously sells today’s mothers short. Breastfeeding mothers do meaningful work every day, and many find breastfeeding to be both cheaper and easier than buying and preparing formula. And many breastfeeding mothers successfully share the responsibilities of parenthood with their partners. In fact, the critical role of fathers and other family members in children’s lives includes supporting their mothers to breastfeed.

  • Many mothers would also argue that breastfeeding forms a bond with their babies in a way that both nourishes and nurtures. The breastfeeding experience is valuable for so much more than the health benefits imparted by a mother’s milk, but until American society recognizes the value of motherhood (and fatherhood) and provides the support that’s needed, this aspect will continue to be ignored. Regrettably, The Atlantic has squandered a crucial opportunity to inspire progress towards more inclusive work and family policies.