This is an outright disgrace and abuse of power. The fact that a counsellor who is in a position to help vulnerable women would push such outrageous propaganda is the reason why many women don’t breastfeed. It’s appalling. One of my babies was a premie and I desperately expressed for three months until I just couldn’t do it anymore. On doctors orders I gave up and started spending more time with my daughter instead of crying in the expressing room – her neonatologist thought it would benefit her more. And it undoubtably did. What a nasty mean comment it would have been, if my highly qualified doctor, whom I trust far more than someone from the aba trying to push their own agenda, had said to me – you may as well be ‘giving’ her aids.

The ABA need to be taken to task over this. I know plenty of women that have stopped breastfeeding because of nasty comments from a midwife or lactation consultant. They do not do themselves any favours by this sort of comment, they more likely push women away. In the end NO ONE has the right to tell you what to put in your Childs body. Yes breast milk has superior health benefits. But some of us have to weigh up the lifestyle benefits. They can be just as important. According to my research, (Michael kramer’s 1991 study was a source of info for me whilst I was pregnant), the average formula fed baby will get 20% more colds in their first year. That equates to 1-2 more. That is certainly nothing to sneeze at, but it is hardly akin to transmitting HIV. I mean honestly did they just do this for a publicity stunt?

The bottom line is that breast milk is superior but their is a perfectly healthy, almost as good alternative that people may choose, as is their absolute right in this free country of ours, to use because the lifestyle benefits of formula, for some people, are superior to breastfeeding. And that is absolutely unequivically their choice. Thank you for remaining impartial MM given you normally have a pro breastfeeding stance.