To: Editorial Board of The Washington Post
Too often women are faced with the cultural pressures of what constitutes a “good” mother. They may hear mantras such as “Breast is best,” or “Formula-feeding: convenient and easy.” America has been notorious for creating this false dichotomy of us vs. them or good vs. bad, and now it’s rearing its ugly head in the realm of motherhood. But one must consider: since when did a mother’s feeding preference label them as a good or bad parent? In a recent New York Times editorial entitled, “Overselling Breastfeeding” (October 18, 2015), author Courtney Jung offers her opinion on how advocacy campaigns for breastfeeding have become more pressurized than supportive. She provides anecdotes of overbearing …show more content…
Although WIC recognizes, supports, and even promotes breastfeeding as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, 3 it does not undermine the benefits of formula feeding as an option for mothers, as both feeding techniques can provide infants with the food requirements needed for optimal growth. The variances in vouchers are simply necessary in order to meet the increased nutritional needs of mothers who are expending additional calories and nutrients as a result of breastfeeding compared to non-breastfeeding mothers.3 Therefore, differences in voucher systems should not discredit WIC’s ongoing support for formula feeding mothers. The fact that WIC accounts for the differences in nutritional requirements for infants and provides food supplements to both formula and breastfeeding women should, instead, demonstrate its commitment to support a women’s choice. Therefore, one should not undermine the benefits of WIC and other programs that attempt to encourage lifestyle practices that are beneficial to the overall health and wellbeing of the …show more content…
For instance, some mothers choose to breastfeed not only for the child’s health benefit, but also to foster a sense of security in the child through body contact and communication.2 Alternatively, some mothers choose to formula feed when they experience difficulties in latching the child to their breast for feeding, for access to readily available food, or because of the financial need to return to work sooner than expected.2 Whatever the reason, society should be supportive of the autonomy of mothers to make their own reproductive
Too often women are faced with the cultural pressures of what constitutes a “good” mother. They may hear mantras such as “Breast is best,” or “Formula-feeding: convenient and easy.” America has been notorious for creating this false dichotomy of us vs. them or good vs. bad, and now it’s rearing its ugly head in the realm of motherhood. But one must consider: since when did a mother’s feeding preference label them as a good or bad parent? In a recent New York Times editorial entitled, “Overselling Breastfeeding” (October 18, 2015), author Courtney Jung offers her opinion on how advocacy campaigns for breastfeeding have become more pressurized than supportive. She provides anecdotes of overbearing …show more content…
Although WIC recognizes, supports, and even promotes breastfeeding as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, 3 it does not undermine the benefits of formula feeding as an option for mothers, as both feeding techniques can provide infants with the food requirements needed for optimal growth. The variances in vouchers are simply necessary in order to meet the increased nutritional needs of mothers who are expending additional calories and nutrients as a result of breastfeeding compared to non-breastfeeding mothers.3 Therefore, differences in voucher systems should not discredit WIC’s ongoing support for formula feeding mothers. The fact that WIC accounts for the differences in nutritional requirements for infants and provides food supplements to both formula and breastfeeding women should, instead, demonstrate its commitment to support a women’s choice. Therefore, one should not undermine the benefits of WIC and other programs that attempt to encourage lifestyle practices that are beneficial to the overall health and wellbeing of the …show more content…
For instance, some mothers choose to breastfeed not only for the child’s health benefit, but also to foster a sense of security in the child through body contact and communication.2 Alternatively, some mothers choose to formula feed when they experience difficulties in latching the child to their breast for feeding, for access to readily available food, or because of the financial need to return to work sooner than expected.2 Whatever the reason, society should be supportive of the autonomy of mothers to make their own reproductive