I doubt she is going to get very far with her "mountain" of research, which is relatively a goosebump compared to what the mainstream medical community has in support of breast milk.

OK this is off topic, but I was breastfed and I had the worst acne ever.

I think she's talking about breastfeeding in OUR society, and she's right. She did mention other studies about women rationing formula and using dirty water, etc.
Breastfeeding makes very little difference in a middle class, working woman's world, which is the point here.
I loved the article.

"High SES"???

Uh, those of us who speak English as a first language would use the word "rich".

Or "affluent"

Or "upscale"

Or "upper class".

But "high SES"?

That sounds like a food additive!

Try Plain English, instead of Academic Jargonese, please!

And actually, the author DID make the point about how class status, rather than breast milk, is responsible for most of the variables that were supposedly caused by breast feeding.

Because, as we know, being able to take a whole year off from work is a CLASS PRIVILEGE available only to mothers who are married to men with really good jobs.

Those "High SES" folks you refer to (the ones English speakers would say are "rich people" - Spanish speakers might call them "los ricos")

I like the Academic jargon. Don't dumb down your work.

I'm sure this makes me a Patriarchist, but aren't pregnant women supposed to avoid alcohol for legitimate reasons?

aleks I would think thats a legitimate remark. Alcohol can be bad in any quantity on the child, as each person is different. Especially since its the only 100 % preventable syndrome.

However, I think that if there is a male, or female partner to the one that is pregnant, should also obstain from alcohol.

I thought it was a good article.

I've often thought it was reprehensible the way that new mothers are "shamed" into breastfeeding their babies.
And she talks about doing lots of research to find out if breastfeeding was all it was touted to be and finding out that there are only slight differences to be found in breastfed vs non-breastfed children.
I've wondered for years if all the supposed benefits of breastfeeding weren't manufactured evidence to keep women tethered to their babies instead of out in the world holding down gainful employment (and this is not a slam against SAHMs. I just don't think women should be guilted into doing something they don't want to do.)

Mothers, there is evidence that breast feeding is beneficial to your children. We as a society encourage you to take all actions that are both reasonable on your part, and beneficial to your children, but it is ultimately your decision.

Done.

I think you were too harsh on this article. I think Rosin is commenting on middle and upper class society in the United States and the incredible pressure society places on new mother's to breastfeed. I have a friend who is experiencing financial hardship (she can’t afford all specialized lactate nurses and the like), but wants to do the best for her now eight month old son. She was unable to breastfeed; her son didn't take to it and it was incredibly painful for her. She was devastated for months because she felt like a bad mother for not breastfeeding her child.

This kind of media manipulation is what continues to reinforce oppression of women, in these subtle and seemingly innocent ways, making good women and good mothers feel guilty for their “inadequacies”. It can lead a woman who considers herself to be a feminist to create judgments and put pressure on other women. This “medical community” that has proclaimed that “breast is best” is made up largely of men, again telling women what is best for their bodies, telling women that they must sacrifice themselves for the good of the children.

I also think Rosin’s point about breastfeed leading to the mother being the primary caretaker of the children because of the father’s inability to breastfeed is really poignant. Strict breastfeeding means that mom cannot leave baby with dad for extended periods of time. Another friend of mine introduced formula when her son was about a month old because she felt like a food factory. She had completely lost any sense of identity or purpose outside of feeding her child. She now balances the breast milk with formula and is much happier for it. It is completely inappropriate for society to cast judgment on her decision. She did what was best for herself, her husband and their child.

As a feminist if it is really important for you to lead by example and have a domestically balanced relationship with your husband, breastfeeding is a factor—and I love how Rosin points out that breastfeeding is not free, unless you do not value the time of the woman. Again, we are talking about upper/middle class women who reside in the United States—which is a large portion of our population/society.