The Language of Breastfeeding

Those of us committed to improving breastfeeding rates worldwide need to stop using The "F" word. It's fine (and sometimes absolutely necessary) to drop a "fuck" or "fucking" into our conversations about promotion of artificial feeding and related topics, because that "F" word is great for expressing our rage and frustration. And we need a feminist framework to help understand the patriarchal factors which contribute to widespread lactophobia. These "F" words are F-F-F-Fine. The truly abhorrent "F" word that has got to go is "formula"!

Artificial breastmilk is not "formula", despite the commonly used lingo. Formula is a word with positive connotations in Western society. It is associated with fast cars, scientific advancement, cunning strategy (think "formula for success"). By the simple act of using The "F" Word we are subtly promoting artificial feeding over breastfeeding in our everyday conversations!

One of the most famous formulas is "E=MC2". Artificial milk pushing companies know this and use this to their advantage, creating an association between their product, which they call "formula" and "Einstein", the Western world's best known genius. Sadly, however, children who are artificially fed end up with lower IQs than breastfed children (see here and here).

Artificial feeding is no formula for success and is certainly not the smart or technological advanced way to feed a child. Artificial feeding is greatly inferior to breastfeeding! Artificial feeding is associated with greater incidents of gastroenteritis, childhood cancers, obesity, multiple sclerosis, otitis media, osteoporosis, diabetes and hospitalisation for respiratory infections (to name just a few dangers of ABM).*

So-called "formula" is no substitute for breast milk, as the Australian Breastfeeding Association's Counselor Manual says (Section D.70.27):

"When we have a substitute on a playing field we take off one player and replace with another player of equal value and the game continues. Artificial baby milk is not a breastmilk substitute. It is a greatly inferior product. Breastfeeding is not special. Special indicates something extra or harder work, not everyday or normal. Breastfeeding is everyday and needs to be incorporated into the everyday rather than seen as an extra."

Refusing to use the "F" word is one very simple way lactivists can make a stand against the marketing of artificial breastmilk. Instead, by saying "artificial breastmilk" we put breastfeeding front and centre again, highlighting that it is the man-made powder that comes in cans which is abnormal and inferior.