Problem with Breastfeeding, The : A personal reflection [9281]

~~$19.95~~ $16.95

Description

Problem with Breastfeeding, The : A personal reflection

What is the problem with breastfeeding? Is it between mothers and babies, society and big business, or something else entirely? Who is winning the Formula War and whose side are governments on anyway? What is the role of the media here?

Join James Akre on his unconventional journey toward a fresh perspective on breast milk and breastfeeding.

Find out why he has concluded that:

It is not really mothers who breastfeed after all.
The "breast is best" mantra is totally passe.
The primary barrier to more and longer breastfeeding is society-wide ignorance.
Health professionals have no excuse for not routinely backing breastfeeding.
We need to return formula use to what it is at base: an emergency nutrition intervention.
We can turn things around within a generation provided we make the right moves.

Are you ready to accept the author's invitation to become a member of the International Breastfeeding Support Collective? See inside for details!

Author: James Akre
Copyright: 2006
Total Pages: 208
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0-9772268-4-0
ISBN 13: 9780977226849

Reviews

by Alicia Ingram

Date Added: Monday 19 November, 2007

Reviewed by the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health http://www.jmwh.com/article/PIIS1526952307002905/ful-
ltext?browse_volume=52&issue_key=S1526-9523%2807%29X0051-
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l= The Problem with Breastfeeding: A Personal Reflection James Akre, Hale Publishing, Amarillo, TX, 2006, 199 pages. $19.95, paperback Since the introduction of and successful marketing campaign for infant formula began, women have been given a choice of whether or not to breastfeed. This choice is heavily influenced by cultural, societal, economic, and personal factors. Despite the overwhelming evidence that the benefits of breast milk far exceed those of infant formula, there is widespread, and in many cases, preferential use of infant formula as the primary source of infant nutrition. James Akre presents a comprehensive, global review of the sociocultural, political, and economic barriers that prevent human milk from being the primary source of nutrition for infants in The Problem with Breastfeeding. The content is presented in a journalistic style whereby Akre intertwines current events presented in the popular media, human rights legislation, medical literature, political and economic theory, and personal opinion to describe why, in his opinion, the choice to breastfeed is continuously undermined in an elaborate and multifaceted dynamic. Further, Akre presents a “collective action” as a solution that can increase the frequency and duration of breastfeeding across cultures on a global scale. This text is not designed to herald the benefits of breastfeeding in an attempt to persuade the skeptic. The target audience is clearly outlined as “everyone but non-subscribers.” While Akre has a master’s degree in economic and social development, has worked in international organizations that focus on public health issues, and serves as a member of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, he identifies his most relevant credentials as being a “mammal…a parent…a grandparent…an international career in economic and social development and public health nutrition spanning four decades.” This text offers a radical and at times comedic perspective on the necessity for virtually all infants to receive human milk. Akre puts forth that it is the fundamental human right of every infant to receive human milk. Some readers may find his opinion extreme and offensive, because he seemingly does not take into account the personal and health barriers that prevent women who would like to breastfeed from doing so. Examples include women with HIV and chronic illness, victims of domestic violence, and those who are given no work place provisions to accommodate breastfeeding. Further, it is this reviewer’s opinion that he does not give women permission to decide not to breastfeed. Despite an extreme perspective, this book is an important contribution to the literature related to breastfeeding. It is heavily referenced from numerous sources that come together to provide a unique analysis of how multiple factors have merged to create a climate where human milk is not the primary source of nutrition for infants across the globe. Akre devotes an entire chapter related to the convergence of economical, political, and social agendas that led to the rise in power of formula use. This chapter is important as it establishes a foundation for understanding history in an attempt to offer credible solutions that will allow human milk to regain the position as a primary source of nutrition for infants. The solutions that Akre proposes are conceptual in nature and lack detailed plans of action. Nonetheless, a framework is proposed for where and how to begin. The Problem with Breastfeeding is at times wordy and difficult to follow. The use of metaphors and analogies is perhaps excessive for some readers. Akre’s use of humor may be offensive to some readers while purely enjoyed by others. However, it is thought provoking in a way that can lead to constructive dialogue and debate around several aspects related to the barriers that prevent women from breastfeeding. Further, it prompts readers to begin to think with greater depth about an issue that, on the surface, can seem like one that is confined to the decision of childbearing women. The numerous references provide a repository of written resources that are not likely to be combined in one text elsewhere. Despite its limitations, The Problem with Breastfeeding is a thought-provoking, quick read that is an important contribution to the sociocultural, political, and economic literature related to breastfeeding...

Rating: [4 of 5 Stars]

by Alicia Ingram

Date Added: Monday 19 November, 2007

Review submitted by ILCA Print and Multimedia Reviews February 2007 Available at www.ILCA.org The Problem with Breastfeeding: A personal reflection James Akré Hale Publishing, 2006 201 pages, references, index, softcover, US$19.95 Orders: Hale Publishing, 1712 N. Forest St., Amarillo, TX 79106 USA Tel: 806-376-9900 or 800-378-1317; fax: 806-376-9901 URL: www.iBreastfeeding.com The Problem with Breastfeeding describes the wide acceptance and practice of artificial baby feeding as both culturally mediated and stemming from societal ignorance. Written for readers who are already convinced of the value of breastfeeding, it will incite breastfeeding proponents to think differently and globally about promoting a “society-wide shift in awareness” (p. 19). Sandwiched between a touching dedication to the seven founders of La Leche League and a visionary plan of action for the “International Breastfeeding Support Collective,” this personal reflection expands on provocative ideas with a forceful, yet measured tone. For example, the dichotomy between the baby’s right to breastfeed and the mother’s duty to breastfeed makes for an adversarial relationship that produces only one winner. Reciting epidemiological studies and medical advantages of breastfeeding simply does not work anymore. The promotion of breastfeeding must be carried out at political, sociocultural, and economic levels. Despite recognizing that the advent and acceptance of formula feeding did not come out of a vacuum, Akré is as intolerant of marketing manipulations in normalizing artificial feeding, “next to the nadir of nutritional mediocrity” (p. 139), as he is persuaded that breastfeeding “places us on the right side of history” (p. 46). In an inspired concluding chapter, Akré calls the breastfeeding advocates of the world to action with some concrete suggestions. One is to attract the attention of policy-makers by packaging breastfeeding information that includes the cost of artificial feeding. Another is to “create the mother of all breastfeeding [web]sites” (p. 174) in many languages that would contain everything one would be looking for, from basic information, myth debunking, and Q&A through scientific research and professional commentaries to breastfeeding trends, politics and economics. Confident that the enthusiasm will catch on, Akré has already registered www.planetbreastfeeding.org for that purpose. The Problem with Breastfeeding makes for highly stimulating reading and thinking. It is a must for all breastfeeding advocates. Nicole J Bernshaw, MSc, IBCLC Salt Lake City, Utah USA..

Rating: [4 of 5 Stars]

by Alicia Ingram

Date Added: Monday 10 August, 2009

Book Review: The Problem with Breastfeeding: A Personal Reflection By James Akre Hale Publishing, 2006 Review by Jill Tyson Cleveland TN USA From: LEAVEN, Vol. 44, No. 2, 2008, p. 12 The Problem With Breastfeeding: A Personal Reflection is a wake-up call to anyone who supports babies' rights to human milk, especially those of us who are already supporting breastfeeding in mother-to-mother or professional contexts. This book examines breastfeeding as a cultural and social issue rather than as a personal, individual choice. Author James Akre has over 30 years of experience in international economic and social affairs. Although he calls this book "a personal reflection" because it's based on his observations and personal experiences, he cites nearly 500 references. These references add credibility to his work, although the lengthy citations may be distracting for some readers. Akre divides the book into four major parts. First, he explains why it is not just the individual mother who breastfeeds, but entire societies. He shows us how cultural norms and customs push down upon mothers and heavily influence the decision of how mothers should feed their babies. He writes that people act in ways that reflect the commonly accepted views in the culture and societies to which they belong. Akre sees the problem with breastfeeding as being particularly dysfunctional for people living under the "Anglo-Saxon arc," predominantly in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, and the USA. The phrase "breast is best" may be popular in these societies, but there is still the undeniable belief that infant formula is a loving and healthy alternative. Although Akre's long, wordy sentences may be distracting for some readers, it enhances the passion in his thesis. He deeply wants societies to return to the biological norm of feeding human babies human milk. He reminds us of the major influence that the Anglo-Saxon countries have on the rest of the world, and helps the reader feel a social responsibility. He urges readers to act through a vehicle he calls the "International Breastfeeding Support Collective" to organize for positive change. Akre feels that the world is in transition on its views of human milk and breastfeeding. He gives examples of other major world-view changes, such as societal shifts in widespread automobile seatbelt use and views on smoking and tobacco. He is hopeful that such changes can happen in understanding the dangers of infant formula and the superiority of mother's milk. …/ Throughout the book, he gives descriptive examples and colorful language that help the reader relate ideas to real life situations. One such example is that of helping his six-year-old granddaughter cross the street. He writes that of course he will hold her hand. To do otherwise is irresponsible, dangerous, and downright stupid. He states that he doesn't weigh it all out and make a conscious decision to do so, he simply knows that he should hold her hand (learned behavior) and he does it (no question). This illustrates the complexity of the learned responses we make from the inside out according to what we have learned and observed from everything around us. The learned response that Akre desires for all humans would be a presumption that human babies receive human milk, except in rare complications or emergencies. Akre lists current positive initiatives and cases that are resulting in more awareness of the significance of breastfeeding and breast milk. He contends there is a counterrevolution toward a societal shift in thinking about infant feeding, and explains how individual action can accelerate this shift. In the second part of the book, Akre chronicles real examples from articles, news clips and letters. Some are comical, and others raise anger and disgust for the attitudes that are revealed. They show us again how misunderstood and misrepresented our whole attitude is toward breasts, human milk and breastfeeding. The third section of The Problem With Breastfeeding deals with the issue of infant formula marketing and strategy. While it may be offensive to some readers, many will applaud the strong language he uses to call infant formula "mass produced nutritional frippery," "emergency nutrition intervention," "nutritional mediocrity," and "starvation prevention." He asserts that it is not enough to know "breast is best"; we need to know that infant formula is bad for healthy babies. Akre asserts that the manufacturers of artificial milk misrepresent support for breastfeeding. He helps his readers to get behind the scene, to understand motivational tactics that imply to the public that they are in support of human milk. In the final section of the book, Akre lists specific tasks that will help to accelerate the shift in societal attitudes toward breastfeeding. He calls for organization of goals and objectives through the "International Breastfeeding Support Collective." He suggests international networking and globalization, but also realizes that each culture will act independently to make major shifts in policy. He gives practical ideas for personal, governmental, and social action. When I saw The Problem With Breastfeeding: A Personal Reflection, I was interested in the title, but anticipated a need for a defensive attitude. By noting that the author was a man, I thought that he may have some negative things to say about breastfeeding and why it was a "problem." I was wrong. James Akre is, indeed, a friend and ally of the breastfeeding movement. http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVIss2-2008p12-
.html..

Rating: [5 of 5 Stars]

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