Editorials, Opinion Pieces Discuss U.S. Position On, Debate Over Breastfeeding
Chicago Sun-Times: Editorial: Breastfeeding is best for babies. Remind President Donald Trump
Editorial Board
“…Instead of supporting a self-evident declaration that breastfeeding is healthy and good for babies, the Trump administration bowed to money … It attempted to derail the resolution at the request of U.S. baby-formula manufacturers and dairy and grocery groups. Just two weeks before the World Health Organization meeting, the Department of Health and Human Services met with lobbyists from these various groups. … Baby formula manufacturers don’t need billboards anymore. They’ve got the president of the United States” (7/13).
Washington Post: Trump’s dangerous remarks about breastfeeding
Editorial Board
“…When the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO, met in Geneva in May, a resolution supporting breastfeeding was expected to win easy approval. But as the New York Times reports, the U.S. delegation upended the deliberations. … In response, Mr. Trump called the story ‘fake news,’ insisted the United States ‘strongly supports breastfeeding,’ and added, ‘We don’t believe women should be denied access to formula. Many women need this option because of malnutrition and poverty.’ No one is going to deny them access. But the proper policy is to encourage breastfeeding to save lives. Mr. Trump should not send a contrary message” (7/15).
Rewire.News: With Breastfeeding in Political Crosshairs, Advocates Must Reach Out Beyond Our Bubble
Ifeyinwa Asiodu, assistant professor in the Department of Family Health Care Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing
“…Breastfeeding is typically nestled comfortably somewhere between maternal and child health. … Yet, breastfeeding is rarely seen as a women’s health, reproductive health, or reproductive justice issue in the United States. … [B]reastfeeding can no longer be separated from reproductive health and reproductive justice. … Breastfeeding is … a critical element of women’s and reproductive health. Health professionals and breastfeeding advocates must think beyond the safe space of our breastfeeding bubbles. We need to think big picture, expand our knowledge, and collaborate with our reproductive health and reproductive justice colleagues” (7/13).
The Hill: Undermining breastfeeding is a tragedy for the poor
Gary Edmonds, president and CEO of Food for the Hungry
“…Any promotion of baby formula as a choice over breast milk undermines efforts to lift the poor out of poverty. … Breastfeeding is a fundamental and cost-effective pathway to promoting healthy child nutrition and reducing infant mortality rates. … It’s critical that anyone engaged in global health and development continue investing in breastfeeding education and sustainable safe drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation infrastructure. … The solution to malnutrition and poverty isn’t baby formula. Let’s make sure the importance of breastfeeding and its overwhelming health benefits is not a battle we’re still fighting” (7/14).
The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.